It just makes a great evening. And that's great!
8/10
Author: stalker vogler from Xanadu
1 September 2007
Not intended to be an Allen masterpiece and produced after the self-indulgent Stardust Memories,(oui oh ça va hein !) this piece of work is the gift Allen made to himself and to us.
Taking stuff from Bergman's Smiles of a Summer Night, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn's suite for the play and some other works Woody realized an enchanting movie about the frivolous nature of human beings. It may not have the quality of Bergman's masterpiece and it may not last for more than four hundred years like Shakeapseare's play but it is definitely entertaining and makes a great summer evening's experience!
It is also the first appearance of Mia Farrow in a Woody film and she is always excellent, though nominated for a Razzie for this role. The scenery by itself is worth seeing the movie. Plus, there is an interesting blend of screwball comedy from Allen's earlier days (with him going on a flying bicycle), some romance that we came to be accustomed in his later movies and even some drama if you look closer. Overall, the movie has more positive aspects than negative and taken as a whole it does leave a smile on your face.