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Zelig | Year: 1983 Classification: Comedy Actors/Actresses: - Woody Allen - Charlie Chaplin - Mia Farrow - Michael Jeter Very Unique and Clever Basiclly a one joke film that after a while just runs out. Even though it's a pretty short movie, it needed to be even shorter. The whole joke gets stale, as the movie seems to just keep going and going. But I would recommend that fimbuffs, Allen fans, and young filmmakers watch this movie. Remarkable cinematography by Gordon Willis, great costume designs by Santo Loquasto and production designs by Mel Bourne. The animation and opitical effects are first rate also. And the editing by Susan E. Morse is wonderful. It's because of all of these things the movie falls together. If the techanical aspect of the movie wasn't done as masterfully as it's done here then the movie wouldn't be watchable. Good, solid performances by Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. The rest of the cast is filled with unknows. It's due to this the movie has a certain feel to it, that makes it "real". Because we never saw these people before, it makes it more authentic. Another stand out is the music by Dick Hyman, which also gives it a "real" feeling. This is a movie that will dazzle you with the effects, but the story remains weak. But it's still a fun movie to watch. Allen's Brillant Mockumentary Zelig, the Woody Allen film that time almost forgot, is one of his 10 best. The story is well explained by other reviewers. Nevertheless, the DVD (without any extras except a fascinating trailer) is superior. The grainy film stock and sound are excellent. The movie is a timely today as it was in 1983. A fascinating film from a variety of perspectives. It was a painstaking labor of love that really addresses the need for love, assimilation, and life in the 1920s or 30s. A superior film, well worth the 15 bucks. I've always loved this little gem of a film Some critics said it was too long, and the joke ran thin. To me that describes Forrest Gump. Some critics thought it was a no-concept movie. To me that describes Forrest Gump. To me this is Woody as a virtuoso filmmaker, though not the sort that Tarentino is pegged. The film makes a very true point about fame, about nostalgia, and most of all about conformity in a world that's always proud to show off its nonconformity (note the opening montage about how this was "the jazz age") but which is at bottom hopelessly conformist. Forrest Gump, with its aw-shucks philosophy and cliche-embedded script, didn't dare tackle such weighty issues. But this movie does. But if you don't GET them, as many critics didn't judging from the reviews, this film will to you seem too long. My biggest complaint is that maybe it's actually too short. I would have liked to see some of its themes explored more--admittedly tricky in the narrow confines Allen imposed on himself with his documentary structure. Here Allen runs the range of tricks to film, but they're not computer tricks (exactly). To age his film he actually scuffs it. To achieve the sound of tinny 1920s sound he records his pop songs (wonderful parodies of the real music of the time) on authentic 1920s equipment. Most of all, in sort of a post-modernist irony that is currently so hip but was fresh in 1983, he features interviews with trendy intellectuals who both reinforce and parody their academic personas by appearing on camera. Unlike Spinal Tap, which was sometimes a little too broad in its humor (much as I love that movie) and unlike Bob Roberts, which gave us "offscreen" conversations we could plainly hear (from people who wouldn't be body-miked in real life) just to extend the narrative, this movie to me strikes the perfect of rabid satire and just-bare plausibility. Unfortunately, Woody's DVDs tend to be skimpy on extras--director's commentary would be nice, or maybe a "how they did it" documentary. But Woody these days is about as socialable as a hermit crab. He's also not making films this good anymore. Pity, because no one else does comedy quite the way he does--or did. Buy Zelig at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Zelig Search with the Priority Search Engine on Zelig This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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