Woody Allen Exposed in
Woody Allen: A Documentary (2011)

By Bob Etier

© Technorati, February 9th, 2012 permalink

How much Woody Allen is too much Woody Allen? His legions of loyal fans can never get enough, and will be delighted with the February 14, 2012, release of Woody Allen: A Documentary, 3¼ hours tracing Allen’s life from his childhood though his various careers, from writer to stand-up comedian to acclaimed director.

In addition to all that biography, Woody Allen: A Documentary also includes “12 Questions” with Woody Allen, deleted scenes, and interviews, including one with director Robert B. Weide. The documentary originally premiered in 2011 on PBS American Masters and is now being released by Docurama Films as a two-DVD set.

Viewers have the opportunity to see Allen at work and examine his writing habits, and his casting and directing styles. Interviewees include cinematographers, cowriters, Allen’s sister, his manager, and his casting director, as well as performers who provide insight and detail: Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Penelope Cruz, John Cusack, Larry David, Mariel Hemingway, Scarlett Johansson, Julie Kavner, Diane Keaton, Martin Landau, Louise Lasser, Sean Penn, Tony Roberts, Chris Rock, Mira Sorvino, Naomi Watts, Dianne Wiest, and Owen Wilson.

Written, directed, and produced by Robert Weide, Woody Allen: A Documentary is an intimate, often funny, respectful, comprehensive profile of a man who has contributed prodigiously to the field of entertainment. It chronicles his career from his earliest films to his most recent, and is a remarkable tribute to Allen’s many talents.

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