The Danny Aiello character is Woody's most vile creation. Woody's commentary is on the relationship between films and audiences, and on Hollywood as a business not a creative industry. It's also a beautiful recreation of the sort of nonsense Hollywood churned out in the thirties. It was most enjoyable and well, well overdue (20th July 2008).
On screen are Jeff Daniels, Edward Herrmann, John Wood, Deborah Rush, Van Johnson, Zoe Caldwell. The part of The Countess was originally to be played by Eve Arden, believe it or not, but her husband died and she pulled out). Accompanying Mia Farrow in real life, Diane Wiest, Michael Tucker.
Interesting in that it has a composed music score, by Dick Hyman. Photographed by Gordon Willis with production design by Stuart Wurtzel, edited by Susan Morse.
The bitchiness between the actors in the film is funny, as is the whole situation, and great lines like "I want what happened in the movie last week to happen this week. Otherwise, what's life all about anyway?"
It's about the choice between fantasy and reality. Woody: "My view of reality is that it has always been a grim place to be [he pauses, then lets out a little laugh], but it's the only place you can get Chinese food." (In conversation with Eric Lax.)
Michael Keaton was originally cast in the lead but when Woody looked at the dailies he was finding him too 1980s and not 1930s, so he was replaced.
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