As a fan of both Woody Allen (as a director, and occasionally as an actor) and Larry David, I could not bring myself to bring the score of this movie down to where critics have been placing it. I simply failed to see what the major "problems" of the film were supposed to be. I laughed at some of the smart little jabs in the side that Allen wrote for Larry to throw to the audience, and the dialogue that poured out of almost every scene had me really paying attention to where this was going.
I think the main problem people might've had is with Larry David's "acting" that many (if you've ever watched an episode/season of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm') might just believe that David doesn't possess any acting talent, that this is his true colors being thrown all over his hit show and now this movie. In my point of view, it works. I don't care if this character is a transplant from 'CYE' or not, he's got a different disposition with his philosophies and belief that he's an absolute genius while everyone around him is merely an "inch-worm." I love the jazz & classical music, the wistful look back at the way things used to be, and classic inspection of modern culture that pours out of Allen's head onto paper. Like this film, he pushes people to see past the comfort level that we set for ourselves and open your world up for chance to work its magic, even when we may fight it every step of the way, which you feel like doing once we first meet Boris Yellnikoff on screen.
Great comedy, good heart, great insight and great job of figuring out how to cross one's boundaries. I recommend.
I think the main problem people might've had is with Larry David's "acting" that many (if you've ever watched an episode/season of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm') might just believe that David doesn't possess any acting talent, that this is his true colors being thrown all over his hit show and now this movie. In my point of view, it works. I don't care if this character is a transplant from 'CYE' or not, he's got a different disposition with his philosophies and belief that he's an absolute genius while everyone around him is merely an "inch-worm." I love the jazz & classical music, the wistful look back at the way things used to be, and classic inspection of modern culture that pours out of Allen's head onto paper. Like this film, he pushes people to see past the comfort level that we set for ourselves and open your world up for chance to work its magic, even when we may fight it every step of the way, which you feel like doing once we first meet Boris Yellnikoff on screen.
Great comedy, good heart, great insight and great job of figuring out how to cross one's boundaries. I recommend.