There really is a difference between early and later Woody Allen films. The early films are more silly, with greater slapstick. They're often hilarious. But while they're better comedies, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're better films. Take the Money and Run, for example, is inconsistent and lacks a good story.
Fortunately, Play It Again, Sam doesn't have such problems. Not only is the script loaded with great lines and clever situations, but the comic timing is perfect as well. The story is well developed, and is also one that any dateless schmuck can easily identify with. However, it wasn't nominated for any Academy Awards, perhaps partly explaining why Allen's films eventually became more 'serious'.
Nervous, self-critical film geek Allan Felix (Woody Allen) has a crisis of confidence when his wife Nancy (Susan Anspach) leaves him. Feeling sorry for him, Allan's married friends Dick (Tony Roberts) and Linda Christie (Diane Keaton) repeatedly set him up with dates. These all turn out disastrously, with clumsy, neurotic Allan embarrassingly trying to put across a sophisticated, macho front.
Allan gets help with his love life from an unexpected source. A vision of Humphrey Bogart appears at times, complete with trenchcoat, cigarette, sexist tough guy dialogue, and the trademark lisp. Bogart's face is shrouded by darkness, but the vocal imitation (by Jerry Lacy) is dead on. Bogart, of course, is a figment of Allan's imagination, inspired by seeing one too many showings of Casablanca.
In the process of arranging these failed dates, Linda and Allan become closer friends. Meanwhile, Dick has become obsessed with business matters, and is in greater need of a beeper than Donald Trump. With Dick away on yet another business trip, will Linda turn to Allan for consolation?
Play It Again, Sam began as a successful Broadway play. It was written by Woody Allen, with Allen, Keaton, Roberts and Lacy all originating their roles on stage. It marked the first film appearance of Allen with Tony Roberts and Diane Keaton. They would show up regularly in later Allen films. Keaton served as Allen's love interest both on and offscreen for several years.
Along with The Front, Play It Again, Sam is one of the few films starring Woody Allen that he didn't direct. But although Herbert Ross (The Sunshine Boys, The Goodbye Girl) is credited as director, it seems to be in name only. (82/100)
This delightful Woody Allen comedy was his first with Diane Keaton, a relationship that would eventually bring them both Oscars (Annie Hall). Allen pl...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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