Woody Allen: Day Nine

Stardust Memories (1980) has long divided fans and critics. I have read numerous times that Woody Allen considers the film one of his best, but a recent interview with The Times makes no mention of the film amongst his favourites. Like Manhattan, Stardust Memories is shot in black and white. The film centres around Sandy Bates (Woody Allen), a celebrated filmmaker who is constantly reminded of the more successful comedies of his past. This seems especially autobiographical considering that many Woody Allen fans yearn for him to return to the comedy of his earlier films, though I am not one of them. The film costars Jessica Harper and Marie-Christine Barrault as two women battling for his affection and Charlotte Rampling as a former girlfriend.

Stardust Memories does not compare to Manhattan or Annie Hall and I feel that it is sometimes overloaded with philosophy and existentialism. There is a terrific film within and I loved the allusions to Woody Allen's own career. The three women are excellent in the film but I feel that Stardust Memories would have been a more successful film with a bit more time and organization.

Next up: A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.

My list:
1. Manhattan
2. Annie Hall
3. Love and Death
4. Interiors
5. Sleeper
6. Stardust Memories
7. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)
8. Take the Money and Run
9. Bananas
10. What's Up, Tiger Lily?