How come so many people regard Woody Allen as a genius filmmaker?

Answer 1

I don't know. I just think he's weird and so are his movies.

I just can't get over the whole thing with his marrying his own adopted daughter or his ex-wife's adopted daughter. Weird.

Answer 2

Well aside from being one of American cinema's most prolific writers and directors of all time, he is also a stand up comedian and an increadably good jazz musician and makes songs for a lot of his own movies. He has the most academy award nominations for writing out of anyone, not that I put alot of stock in that, but its a fact. His movies are consistantly hilarious while at the same time being intellegent and have dramatic impact as well. Id like you to find any comedys in the last couple of decades that can claim that. Not to mention he can make a sick asz thriller too (see 'matchpoint') Face the facts, just cause you dont like his movies, and would rather go watch 'Dude where's my car' doesnt mean he is anything less than a genius. He just appeals to a non-mainstream audience, because he's got the artistic clout to not care about mass appeal.

And for all you people who talk about his marriage with his ex's step daughter, that has nothing to do with his art. I mean Leonardo Devinci was a gay phedophile, most artists are weird deviant sexual freaks, but being weird just goes with the territory.

Answer 3

Because he is a genius, although perhaps he stole a little too much from Ingmar Bergman.

Woody Allen redefined film comedy during the 1970s, bringing a new measure of sophistication and personal complexity to the form. His movies — intimate meditations on recurring subjects such as art, religion, and romance — put a knowing, confessional spin on the anxieties of contemporary audiences, telescoping their fears and concerns through his own mordantly neurotic onscreen persona. Drawing universal insight from the traditions of Yiddish humor, Allen established himself both as a comic Everyman and one of American filmmaking's true auteurs, writing and directing features which broke with established narrative conventions and infused the screen-comedy form with unprecedented substance and depth.

Answer 4

Look at some of his early work.
'Play It Again, Sam' (1972) Allen's homage to Bogart's success with women. And the way he ('Allen' is so inept with women).
Sleeper (1973) The future, and some of his fears of the future.
Mighty Aphrodite (1995) Great film.
A lot of his latest films can be a bit deep for some people.

Answer 5

Because they don't know what a genius filmmaker really is. Woody Allen is nothing more than a neurotic nerd who churns out subpar movies.

Answer 6

Some of his recent films are great. Match Point and Melinda and Melinda are two that i would suggest. I think he is seen as 'genius' because he's creative and different. His films don't fit the 'Hollywood' mold. People like change and variety, or at least i do.

Answer 7

Despite his icky personal life, his movies from the 70s and 80s were really pretty cool. I'm thinking of Manhattan, especially Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters. They were funny, smart, and totally glamorized New York City. And some of Annie Hall was really inventive and fresh for its time.

For a good early movie, check out Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask.

For a good later movie, I gotta say his last really great movie was Husbands and Wives (1992).

His best: Annie Hall. Sweet, funny, surprising, and he pioneered that thing where the main character turns to the camera and comments on the scene that he's in.

If you want to give him a chance, refer to his imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000095/

If you want to see some of his funny quotes, check this one out: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/woody_allen.html

Answer 8

He's the man who once said 'I'm only happy when i'm depressed!'
I'm not a fan of his work, but I belive it's mainly his dry and sometimes satiricaly deppressing view on the world around him that draws his fan base. As well as a sometimes positive view on the negative things.
I think he tends to get under peoples' skin which makes one remember him more (like an annoying tune you can't get out of your head) which adds to his fame.

Answer 9

he has made some weird choices in his personal life but i think people think he's a genius because his style is completely different than most anything out there. people think citizen kane is the best movie ever made.. not for its plot but for the techniques that orson wells used.

Answer 10

I'm not sure. His films almost always flop. but you should check out the movie "Everybody Says I Love You." Its a weird horrible musical, but its pretty funny.

Answer 11

Probably because of his beautiful screenplay, or the way he described new yorkers attitude so well or probably he's just a great comedian and makes you laugh.

By the way I think he's a master.