Play It Again, Sam

Acclaimed and funny movie for Allen, adapted from his stage hit, ¨Play it again, Sam¨, but directed for once not by Allen but by Herbert Ross. This Woody Allen comedy deals with Allan Felix (Woody Allen), a San Francisco film critic, watches the final scenes of the 1942 film 'Casablanca' and finds himself inspired by the manliness and selflessness of the character of Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart. Soon, however, he reverts to his typical neuroses and insecurity, and recalls the recent departure of his wife Nancy (Susan Anspach) who has walked out and while his two best friends try to encourage him to score with somebody else. Meantime, Allan goes on mostly at home watching old Bogart , and the only advice he heeds is from a fantasised Bogey. Wondering how to be more self-confident, Allan imagines Bogart (Jerry Lacy) sitting in his room, advising him to treat women like dames. Later, Allan is visited by his best friends, overworked businessman Dick Christie (Tony Roberts) and his wife Linda (Diane Keaton), a model. Here's laughing at you, kid !. By day he is Woody Allen !. But When Night Falls And The Moon Rises, Humphrey Bogart Strikes Again !. It's still the same old story, a fight for love and glory !. If you're going to take advice - take it from the best !.

Although Woody Allen does not direct the film, but rather the late Herbert Ross, everything about them is smooth and feels like a film by Allen himself. The film is full of gags that seek the complicity of cinephiles and Humphrey Bogart enthusiasts. The picture marks Allen's first cinematic encounter with Keaton and the beginning of a collaboration that would culminate in the Oscar for both of them in 'Annie Hall'. It is based in part on his own life with the theme of the main role, his love for cinema and his affair with Keaton are chronicled as a wistful, episodic comedy commenting on love, loneliness, communicating, maturity, city life, and various other topics. Writer and starring Allen himself alongside his then muse and girlfriend Diane Keaton, both of whom giving stunning interpretations. Woody Allen plays the nervous and weedy Alan Félix, an extreme pessimist man that obsesses with find match but fail on all attempts, he has very sarcastic and cynical views about the world and the people around him. The picture operates on many levels, Allen is -no surprise- a nerd , an underdog and this time he's in love with his best friend's wife. Modest and simple story line provides a framework of endless gags with Allen borrowing heavily from Casablanca, in which Bogey even shows up periodically to conseul Allen on the ways of wooing women. And even the ending restages Casablanca with great panache. A good film with numerous incidental touches mark it out as one of the most unusual as well as one of the funniest of its era. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are well accompanied by a wonderful cast made up of the best actors at the time, such as: Tony Roberts who worked usually with Allen, Susan Anspach played well the wife who left him to experience a more exciting life, Jerry Lacy who performed Bogey to the hilt, Jennifer Salt, Joy Bang, Viva, among others .

Superior and endearing comedy isn't hurt by Herbert Ross directing instead Allen, who adapted the script from his own play. The motion picture was competently directed by Herbert Ross . This artisan was a good filmmaker expert on musical, drama and comedy, such as :¨Goodbye Mr Chips¨, ¨Play it again Sam¨, ¨Funny Lady¨, ¨The Sunshine Boys¨, ¨The Goodbye Girl¨, ¨The turning point¨, ¨California Suite¨ , ¨Nijinsky¨, ¨Footloose¨, ¨Protocol¨, ¨Dancers¨, ¨Pennies from Heaven¨, ¨The secret of my success¨, ¨Steel Magnolias¨, ¨My blue heaven¨, ¨Undercover blues¨, ¨Boys on the side¨ and several others. ¨Play It Again, Sam¨(1972) is an enjoyment of a film. Rating: 7/10. Better than average.

Easily my favorite movie with Woody that he did not direct, 'Play it Again, Sam' is a hysterically funny homage to Bogart, divorce, adultery, dating, an overactive imagination, meeting women in museums, and calling your office with all the telephone numbers you can be reached at..this is some great stuff and Woody's social awkwardness and pratfalls and neuroses will have you laughing throughout.

One of my favorite scenes is Woody trying to meet an attractive woman at a museum. She turns out to be a little more unhappy than he is but is also very funny in her darkness.

The very best is Woody getting set up on a blind date with Jennifer Salt. His nervousness will stay in your mind long after the movie is over.

My first and foremost thought about this movie is that you MUST see "Casablanca" (1942) first, for two reasons:

First, "Play it Again, Sam" contains not only archival footage from the 1942 classic, but numerous dialogic and other references which would be lost on someone who hasn't seen "Casablanca."

Second, and more important, is that the surprise ending of "Casablanca" is revealed in the *very first scene* of "Play it again, Sam."

Beyond that, "Play it again, Sam" is probably second only to "Annie Hall" among the Woody Allen / Diane Keaton films. Woody fans will enjoy the neurotic, psychosexual ramblings of the central character, which are typical of his movies, as well as the numerous elements of physical comedy, which are not as common in Woody Allen films. And watch for the scene in the art gallery -- it's a classic!

Allen plays a film critic who has been cruelly dumped by his wife. He wants to meet other women but is very neurotic (no surprise there). He idolizes Humphrey Bogart who shows up from time to time to give him advice on dealing with woman. His best friends--couple Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts--try to help also. Naturally he ends up falling for Keaton.

Allen didn't direct this (Herbert Ross did) but he wrote it. So it sounds like a Woody Allen film but doesn't LOOK like an Allen film. For one thing it was shot in San Francisco--not New York! It's also somewhat dated in 1970s dialogue and fashion. There's also a running joke involving Roberts and telephones that doesn't work today. Still this is a very good film.

It is an affectionate take-off on "Casablanca" and other old films also. Allen is playing has patented neurotic character but I've always found him funny and his disastrous dates are just great. Also him, Keaton and Roberts always worked well together and it makes their relationship seem very believable. And Jerry Lacy is VERY funny playing Bogart and giving Allen advice.

If you don't like Woody Allen movies this probably won't change your mind. But I found it fast, funny and very entertaining. And the dated 70s touches were actually quite funny. I give this a 8.

This is one if my favorite movies of all time. It is best seen right after Casablanca; I like to watch the two back-to-back to get the full effect. I laugh out loud throughout the movie, as I see myself portrayed so well in Allen's character. The movie is a must for any slightly-geeky single man or anyone who enjoyed Casablanca. I think of this as the story of a lovelorn geek on a quest for love, guided by his faith in Bogart. The cast is astounding; along with Allen's performance, Diane Keaton added a good amount of reality, sensitivity, and humor. Her character is quite believable. Tony Roberts is hilarious; his deadpan delivery of all the phone number lines prevents the joke from getting old even on multiple viewings.