British Comedy Guide

Your favourite Woody Allen character?

A bit different to what's your favourite film etc.

What's the character you most love in a Woody Allen film - either Allen or other actor?

For me, top is Danny Rose from Broadway Danny Rose. Such a lovely guy, always working for the loser, warm, selfless, and when he has the climactic chance to get his mini-revenge on Farrow after she levered his one big act away, he can't hurt her - he has to chase her down the street and welcome her back to the Thanksgiving party.

Mia Farrow always plays the whining underdog so well (kinda a female Allen) but she is stand-out as Cecilia in Purple Rose of Cairo. Beaten upon by her husband, conned by the big shot actor, she paradoxically rejects her one chance at happiness with the escaped fictional character because he isn't real but at the movie's close she returns to escapism at the movies.

Mariel Hemingway as Tracy - the underage lover - in Manhattan. Sweet, giving, and as the only child in a world of adults, she's shown to be the only adult amongst them. Her performance although diluted by the mid-section focus on Keaton still manages to overshadow the film.

Any one else got faves?

Quote: SlagA @ February 26 2010, 3:09 PM GMT

Mariel Hemingway as Tracy - the underage lover - in Manhattan. Sweet, giving, and as the only child in a world of adults, she's shown to be the only adult amongst them. Her performance although diluted by the mid-section focus on Keaton still manages to overshadow the film.

That one.

Diane Keaton in everything, but especially Annie Hall.

John Cusack and Chazz Palminteri in Bullets Over Broadway. (And Jennifer Tilly and Diane Wiest are actually hilarious in that too.)

And Woody's character in Manhattan Murder Mystery.

Diane Keaton as Sonja in Love and Death.

Fielding Mellish or Virgil Starkwell he's pretty bad ass in both of those and very funny.

I thought Allen was quite convincing as a grubby ageing paedo.

Can't we judge the art not the man? He's made me laugh at lot more than a great many people.

Tom Baxter of the Chicago Baxters.

And virtually any character played by Tony Roberts.

Quote: sootyj @ February 26 2010, 5:33 PM GMT

Can't we judge the art not the man? He's made me laugh at lot more than a great many people.

Difficult in Allen's case, since he usually plays a strange geek who, because he is funny and sensitive, is able to get get off which much younger women. The reality underlying the male fantasy makes for disturbing viewing.

But to be honest nothing Allen has done since Sleeper has made me laugh.

You're missing out Love and Death!

Even though Woody Allen always seems the same (in all of the movies I've seen him in) I liked him best as Jimmy Bond in Casino Royale.

Out of everything I prefer his early stand up.
Clever & brilliant.

A Con'a'sewer.

His standup was aces.

I think this is open to characters in Woody films and not just roles played by Woody.

Quote: Badge @ February 27 2010, 12:32 AM GMT

I think this is open to characters in Woody films and not just roles played by Woody.

I knew that.
Whistling nnocently

Although Mr Allens stand up is always worth a mention.

To be honest apart from buying 'Take the Money & run' on DVD recently I watched all the Woody allen films years ago when I was young and haven't bothered with much of his recent output.

So I'll go for Michael Caine in Hannah & her sisters.
That has to be a safe bet.

I like everybody in Manhattan Murder Mystery. The main characters crack me up.

Share this page