tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post6856558400068622770..comments2024-03-03T10:32:45.969-08:00Comments on Mr. Peel's Sardine Liqueur: There Is No One Definitive EssenceMr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-68724430475536563422010-03-01T21:36:12.622-08:002010-03-01T21:36:12.622-08:00J.D.--
Thanks very much for all your great commen...J.D.--<br /><br />Thanks very much for all your great comments. It seems like you like this one a little better than I do and that's great. I definitely enjoyed revisiting it this time, it really flowed together much better than a few other of his films during this period. It might very well be the return of a certain kind of heart and warmth. <br /><br />Joe--<br /><br />I saw both of those on opening weekend! And I still go as soon as I can when a new one opens to this day. When those credits first come up it just puts a smile on my face. And what you said about how his films change as you grow is very true. Very often they get richer, deeper and, yes, funnier. <br /><br />Christian--<br /><br />You're very right when you say that we should all have such first drafts. Of course, a few times have frustrated me in that sense more than others but I've always avoided leaping from that to some kind of "Woody's over!" response. That sort of thinking is just pointless. I remember feeling such pleasure when I saw VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA for the first time...there's always the chance that'll happen once again.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-77346159725692284782010-03-01T17:13:08.579-08:002010-03-01T17:13:08.579-08:00I think Woody is our Bergman and I always nod when...I think Woody is our Bergman and I always nod whenever somebody writes another "Woody is over piece" that he gets his biggest hit with MATCH POINT and VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA. His scripts are somewhat first-draftish these days but we should have such a first draft. I too used to love the opening day of an Allen film, which HANNAH AND HER SISTERS was the first. Then going over to Tower...those were the days!christianhttp://christiandivine.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-51637549645266992162010-02-28T11:19:43.500-08:002010-02-28T11:19:43.500-08:00Fine article, Peel. You reminded me of my own inte...Fine article, Peel. You reminded me of my own intense Woody period in the mid-1990s when I actually went to see <em>Mighty Aphrodite</em> and <em>Everyone Says I Love You</em> at a theater, paying money. <br /><br />Woody Allen is a filmmaker whose pictures never change. The viewer is the one who changes over the years and can have a completely different experience watching <em>Sleeper</em>, <em>Manhattan</em>, <em>Husbands and Wives</em> or <em>Anything Else</em> in their 20s, 40s or 60s.Joe Valdezhttp://thisdistractedglobe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-29522051084804308682010-02-28T07:10:18.835-08:002010-02-28T07:10:18.835-08:00I actually quite like this film and it's proba...I actually quite like this film and it's probably my fave of Allen's from the past decade. The way I look at his films is like this:watching them is like visiting an old friend. You pretty much know what you’re going to get: the plain opening credits always done in the same font with big band or jazz music playing and the cast presented in alphabetical order. Prior to MELINDA AND MELINDA, the heart has been missing from his films. And with this one, he seemed to have found it again. The stories feel more natural and his dialogue flows with an ease and rhythm that had been absent for some time.<br /><br />For me the dramatic story isn’t as interesting as the comedic one as none of the characters are all that engaging or relatable – not that is essential but it pales in comparison to the much warmer and interesting comedic story. It doesn’t hurt that the comedic story features a surprisingly restrained Will Ferrell as this film’s Woody Allen surrogate. He nails the neurotic, uptight intellectual who proves to be a better cook then an actor. Ferrell successfully tones down his usual manic schtick for a more fully realized character.<br /><br />I also have to say that I'm a big fan of Radha Mitchell which is probably why this film has a soft spot in my heart. She is generally known for her genre fare (PITCH BLACK, ROGUE) so it was great to see her in a Woody Allen film, getting to stretch as an actress.<br /><br />I really can't argue with the flaws of the film that you pointed out so well but I guess they pale in comparison to my enjoyment of this film. And I agree with you about the dinner scenes that frame the film. I wish Allen would've constructed a bonus film just focusing on these characters, like a semi-sequel to MY DINNER WITH ANDRE or something...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.com