The Ideologies of Woody Allen

Several weeks ago, I decided to treat myself by attempting a Woody Allen marathon (yes, that is my idea of a treat…). The aim was to watch as many of his films as is humanely possible in one week (I had a lot of free time before the uni term ended). Now for those who aren’t familiar with Allen’s overall film archive, he’s made a lot of them. He’s probably directed more films than I’ve watched in my entire lifetime (I don’t know if that says more about Allen’s consistency as a filmmaker or my lack of cine-literacy).

I decided by starting at the very end of his CV and working my way back through his features. I began with a Midnight in Paris (2011) and regressed back to Crimes and Misdemeanours (1989). Despite thoroughly enjoying a large majority of his works, I began to notice that his ideologies were beginning to have an effect on my worldly outlook.

Anyone who’s ever laid eyes upon a feature directed by this filmmaker will know full well that his narratives often revolve around neurotic and nihilistic characters attempting to get through their day-to-day lives whilst struggling to co-exist with their nearest and dearest, who also happen to be neurotic and nihilistic.

These self-obsessed and universe-loathing characters are prevalent throughout pretty much most of his movies; often appearing in the form of the protagonist (fairly often played by Allen himself) commonly expressing their pessimistic ideologies by delivering a monologue that habitually takes up about four or five pages of the films screenplay.

Another recurring Allen theme is that people cheat; and boy, do they cheat a lot.  It doesn’t matter if you’re young, old, smart, stupid, healthy, unwell, rich, deprived, happy, depressed, successful, failing, loved, hated, male or female; every kind of individual is desperate to get their end away with a lover who happens to not be their spouse.

I admit that I was nihilistic and neurotic long before evening hearing about a Woody Allen movie, so that aspect of my persona hasn’t altered in the slightest; yet I’m now convinced – since ending this weekly marathon – that love will never ever have a happy ending and that I’m destined to experience a future of inevitable boredom and infidelity.

But at least I enjoyed the films, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Woody Allen films viewed so far:

A Midnight in Paris (2011) 4/5 Stars

Match Point (2005) 4/5 Stars

Anything Else (2003) 2/5 Stars

Hollywood Ending (2002) 3/5 Stars

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010) 3/5 Stars

Cassandra’s Dream (2007) 2/5 Stars

Scoop (2006) 3/5 Stars

The Curse of Jade the Scorpion (2001) 2/5 Stars

Small Time Crooks (2000) 3/5 Stars

Sweet and Lowdown (1999) 4/5 Stars

Deconstructing Harry (1997) 4/5 Stars

Everyone Says I love you (1996) 4/5 Stars

Mighty Aphrodite (1995) 4/5 Stars

Bullets over Broadway (1994) 4/5 Stars

Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) 3/5 Stars

Husbands and Wives (1992) 3/5 Stars

Shadows and Fog (1991) 2/5 Stars

Alice (1990) 2/5 Stars

Crimes and Misdemeanours (1989) 4/5 Stars

Stardust Memories (1980) 3/5 Stars

Manhattan (1979) 4/5 Stars

Annie Hall (1977) 4/5 Stars