Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry

Mr. Allen is floundering. It appears Mr. Allen somehow thinks, in this pathetic movie, that by using extreme vulgarity he is "hip" or "current" or whatever. Mr. Allen looks tired and worn out and gives the impression of a "has been" rather than someone of the "now" generation to which he apparently is desperately attempting to cling. I have been a fan of Mr. Allen's for many years but sadly I feel it is time for him to quit if he can do no better than this.

Although many people believe that Woody Allen plays basically the same character in all of his movies, this film proves that to be untrue; usually, Allen plays a soft-spoken, imperfect, frail, but basically good-hearted character who might do some things wrong but is still likable on most levels. In "Deconstructing Harry", he is much more dark, vulgar, and unlikable... for example, he swears quite a bit, which is unusual for a character played by Allen. Somehow, I didn't like this - while I personally have no problem with profanity, somehow hearing Allen doing it bothers me. I guess it sort of ruins the image of him I have in my head, even though I know it's a fictional image. The actual plot of this movie is quite clever, and there are a few great scenes, but many have found the film to be a bit disturbing in how it manipulates and darkens the classic Allen persona, and I have to agree.

This flick cannot hold a light to some of Allen's earlier movies. The dialogue is sloppy - depending on vulgarity and repetition for impact. The cuts detract from the continuity. The plot is rather pathetic and unbelievable. It almost got funny when the blind granny caught the couple having sex. Worst of all, I kept getting sleepy!

This is probably one of Allen's most personal and honest films as it seems to touch on his private life and expose it for the painful and raw persona it can be to many people. Here he portrays a writer who is not any,person's idea of a role model but rather a selfish, drug and * abusing self centered writer who has the balls to admit that this exactly who and what he is. The narrative is propelled through the family friends he is forced to interact with on a specific day that goes every way wrong can go involving his ex and bitter wife who he used as a thinly veiled plot device in his recent novel, his son who brings along with a hooker to a school awards ceremony. The film meanders between the classic get a laugh Allen and the ponder existence Allen both notable and always worth a watch.

I am sick to death of all these Woody Allen movies where he casts himself with beautiful women. Honestly, I just think he writes the script just to do love scenes with these people. How could Elizabeth Shue be interested in a neurotic nerd like Woody Allen? Besides that, I thought the movie was really funny, but only in the scenes where Woody didn't appear.

The editing is fragmented to recreate a visual stream of consciousness. The technique works and the juxtaposition of the fictional characters with the real ones makes the story really funny, the music is well chosen, the dialogue on point It's a raw and dramatic film when it has to. Harry Bloks life passes before our eyes in a kaleidoscope of emotions, self loathing and self search. Loved it.

My boyfriend is always slamming Woody Allen's later movies, so he refused to rent this with me. So, I rented it myself and watched it with a friend, and I thought it was *very funny.* The ending kinda threw me off (a bit too postmodern) but it was still fine. Watch this movie!