A stupidly neglected film. At the time it caused some confusion - the critics thought Woody was attacking them and his audience - he's having a dig, certainly, at over-critical thinking and crazy fan worship - not specifically his critics and fans. In fact Woody doesn't have the best opinion even of his own films or abilities as a film maker. Though this was one of his favourites at one point.
Whilst it certainly evokes 8 1/2, there's also a very strong Preston Sturges reference right from the off - Sullivan's Travels. It even begin in the same way - what we think we're seeing is the ending of a film which the execs then discuss as being terrible. But yes - the way scenes turn into flashbacks is definitely very much like the Fellini film. (That bit on the train - is this some reference to death camp trains from WWII?)
And about a man who cannot find the right path in love. That montage of the fucked up Charlotte Rampling, direct to camera, is still one of the director's most powerful moments.
The POV camera through the fans, and the 'interesting' faces, and Gordon Willis' beautiful darkness, all memorable. And, you know, a depressed man, who has that photo from Vietnam, massively blown up his wall - what do you expect?
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| Woody's useless agent is another good touch, as is the fact that it's his first wife, Louise Lasser! |
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| Good one for SSS |
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| Woody likes long takes |
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| Don't bother telling me how many awards Gordon Willis was not nominated for |
The ending - the film is over and the cast swap notes - is a doozy.
Jessica Harper... I fell for her in Phantom of the Paradise, on the 10th of December 1977, aged 14. How many decades ago was that? She's still working...
With Marie-Christine Barrault, Tony Roberts, Daniel Stern, Woody's dentist and accountant, Sharon Stone as 'Pretty Girl on Train'...
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