A lot has been said about the vulgarity of Deconstructing Harry, but I have to mention it again, as a long-time Woody Allen fan. It is by far his most profane film, with Woody himself spouting off profanities and mixtures of profanities that would make even Quentin Tarantino blush. If you can get past the nonstop cussing of most of the characters (Allen, as well as Kirstie Alley, Billy Crystal and Judy Davis, in her second of three hysterical characters in Woody films), you will find a lot to like here. The story is inventive (the mixing of real characters and the ones invented by Harry/Woody in his books), the direction is definitely unique (the sudden and frequent edits), and there are lots of belly laughs (I especially liked the story about the old Jewish husband with the "dark secret"). It's like watching Woody Allen in a porn film. This is because most of his films contain little to no profanity, but Husbands & Wives in 1992 started somewhat of a trend, and Mighty Aphrodite continued it (although in the latter movie, the profanity was just a part of Mira Sorvino's character, and Woody didn't swear). I realize I'm going off on a tangent with the profanity, but it will shock Woody fans and non-fans alike.
This film seemed to "exorcise" some of his demons, but a few would haunt his next movie, in which Kenneth Branagh played the Woody type.
These are not Woody masterpieces, but they are entertaining, in somewhat of a deranged way.
This film seemed to "exorcise" some of his demons, but a few would haunt his next movie, in which Kenneth Branagh played the Woody type.
These are not Woody masterpieces, but they are entertaining, in somewhat of a deranged way.