Bullets Over Broadway (1995)

 A Wonderal Melodram with two main twists
In general I have not liked any movie with Woody Allen in it but I do love his humorous lines. This movie is good in that Woody does not appear in it in person but he is there in spirit (for all that he is also an excellent saxophonist and film maker). So although it would not pass as a really great film Bullets over Broadway is, nonetheless, a highly entertaining and memorable melodrama, American humour at its best, replete with characters who are seemingly funny without knowing it. As in Shakespeare's dramas even the minor characters like the mafia boss's maid, get to utter wonderfully witty comments. Thankfully the only truly annoying character, I shan't tell you which one, gets whacked.

I wish some Amazon reviewers would not spoil it for others by revealing the two twists in this otherwise simple tale where the mafia is mixed up with Broadway theatre via a struggling and unsuccessful playwright's ambitions. The beauty of the whole thing is mostly in the lines. They are delivered in the machine-gun staccato style of the old Marx brothers movies and 1930s comedies such as My Man Godfrey. This might pose difficulties for anyone viewing the movie at the cinema, particularly those unfamiliar with heavy New York accents (I personally find them as challenging as the Scottish-English spoken in Glasgow). I taped the movie from a recent local TV airing, fortunately from a channel that doesn't interrupt with too many commercials, but I think the best idea is to buy or rent it in DVD form where at least when stuck one can switch on English sub-titles, the Greek subtitles translation on my tape were so poor they didn't help.

The humour in the lines must not be missed because they are what have distinguished this movie from many other so-called comedies. The cinematography and casting is good, actually excellent. As well as the period setting and costumes which really make you believe you are in a New York of the 1930s or late 1920s. I still think it would have been even better as a stage production rather than a movie. If I were a stage producer I would use the full space of a theatre so that any actor playing Cheech would actually be sitting in the back row behind the audience. I give this film a good rating because it is so thoroughly entertaining, after all for me that is mainly what watching movies is all about.
April 28, 2008

 The Great White Way
Apparently, as long as it involves a New York City scenario Woody Allen is more than happy to take a run at a plot that involves that locale in some way. Here it is the Great White Way- Broadway during its heyday in the Prohibition Era 1920's that gets his attention (Broadway was also the subject of his classic Broadway Danny Rose). What really makes this plot line very, very funny and makes the film work however is the plot twist of interspersing semi-serious production of a play with nefarious (and deadly) gangster activity.

Here a struggling (weren't they all and presumably still are) Greenwich Village writer has a thoughtful dramatic play in search of a backer and as the story progresses a gangster `ghostwriter'. Presto, up comes one backer-with a problem- his `doll' wants in on the play and (on the side) he needs to stay one or two steps ahead of his gangster rivals. These antics drive the play nicely as does a brilliant performance by Diane Wiest doing a fantastic send up of Gloria Swanson as the has-been actress searching for a comeback in Billy Wilder's classic Hollywood Boulevard. This one is definitely the five stars, with no hype needed. See it.
February 27, 2008

 Filmed in 1994 Released in 1995 IN MONAURAL?????
Miramax and Woody Allen did a big dis-service to everyone who bought a ticket or a Laser Disc or a DVD of this film by not filming or releasing it in STEREO sound.

I realize some of the music featured in the period of the movie was not recorded in STEREO, however for the rest of the film, and the fact that it was filmed in 1994, and major films from the 50's on have been filmed in STEREO, not recording, or releasing this one in STEREO is a big injustice.

How about another release, you could call it "Special Edition" or "Ultimate Edition", where you provide 5.1 STEREO sound, like many other movie releases have done with movies previously released in monaural or just 2.0 STEREO?

Woody......are you listening?????

Miramax....are you listening?????

Think of the extra money you could rake in with only enhancing the sound! January 14, 2008

 poor quality
the stops and skips throughout, especially during the most important parts of the movie. very disappointed. October 6, 2007

 Witty, Irrereverant, Cinematic Fun!
Now I know I'm going to be blasted on here, but honestly I had only seen one or two Woody Allen films before this one. I literally stumbled across this film on IFC (movie channel) this morning.

The whole movie skewers, borrows and ultimately pays tribute to dramatic theater to delightful effect. The scenes with John Cusack and secret love interest Diane Wiest could've been ripped right out of a 20's melodrama. The shots are long and the cutting sparse lending even more to that theatrical feel. However you don't need a lot of quick cuts to sell your movie when the dialog itself is quick and cutting.

Beautiful written, shot and directed, the story speeds along cleverly with twists and turns and plenty of humor. The performances by everyone in the cast are superb.

I honestly haven't seen a movie this good in quite some time and am thrilled to have found this unique and timeless gem. Thanks Woody Allen! August 5, 2007

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