Does Woody Allen's best approach Chaplin?

Question

Allen's nebbish character stops before Annie Hall. Upto that point, his best movie was Sleeper. The Tramp character ends with Modern Times. After that, Allen's best work is in Manhattan, everything else is directing or supporting roles. Allen isnt Bergmann, and he may not even be a modern day Chaplin. What do you think?

Answer 1

This is a great question.

I won't venture into arguments about what Allen's best work was before Annie Hall (as I prefer Bananas to Sleeper), but I agree with you completely when you say Allen is no Bergman. He certainly did his best imitation, but I prefer Allen's light-hearted movies to his dark and heavy stuff. It's not just because comedy is more fun than drama either. Allen can be a comedic genius. His drama can be good, but much of it is self-indulgent and boring.

Answer 2

Chaplin would be hard to beat because he did EVERYTHING for his movies. Allen is probably more involved with his films than any other major filmmaker today, but I doubt anyone will ever have the control that Chaplin did.

BTW, I think that some of Allen's later films are quite nice. I loved Bullets Over Broadway.

Answer 3

I liked Bananas myself. Woody Allen's movies were fun at the time because they used more dialog than other movies at the time. He has lost that edge with other filmmakers realizing that some movie goers like to hear quick witted conversations and not necessarily exploding people.
Just as an aside (speaking of dialog) have you taken time to listen to the flow of Smokey and the Bandit? VERY good stuff.

Answer 4

manhattan is a great movie as is annie hall.play it again sam is a fave hannah and her sisters is good but you cant compare with chaplin because of the technology.but i do think woody is a genius

Answer 5

the only Woody Allen movies I really care for are Sleeper and Annie Hall.....I lost interest in him after he dumped Mia for their daughter......I really didn't think he was 'all that' anyway.