The first major biography and critical study of the great American film director, actor, writer, wit and humorist to appear since the extraordinary events in his private life made headline news in 1993. Woody Allen is one of the most significant cultural figures of our time.
Woody Allen has long been an enigma, obscured by a façade no less carefully constructed than his films. Where does the real Woody Allen begin and the film character end? John Baxter shows how the reality gave way to the image of a nebbish: a whining (but lovable) loser, racked by insecurity, bullied by women and taking solace in psychoanalysis. He demonstrates that the ‘Woody’ of Allen’s films is as remote from the real man as was the ‘Little Tramp’ from Charlie Chaplin.
Woody Allen’s films are celebrated for their wit and their ironic characterisations of Manhattan types, together with their neuroses. The best of them rank among the finest of all screen comedies. Allen not only survived the scandal and furore that swept the world media when he abandoned his long-time partner Mia Farrow to live with her adopted daughter Soon-Yi, but flourished – his next two films, Bullets over Broadway and Mighty Aphrodite, both won Oscars.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
John Baxter here presents a balanced account of this fraught time, and thankfully does not allow it to overwhelm the rest of the book. He proves particularly strong on his analyses of the films, tracing the development from What's New, Pussycat? to the triumph of Manhattan, and onto the darkness of Deconstructing Harry. He considers the role of Ingmar Bergman and Frederico Fellini in informing his direction, and Bob Hope and Charlie Chaplin, among others, in moulding the screen persona; but from behind this "Woody" emerges a deeply contradictory man, rather unlovable and only passingly loving, who uses a megalomaniac paranoia to drive his creativity, but which denies him happiness, at least in a conventional sense. It is to John Baxter's credit that he refrains from indulging in excessive psychoanalysis, and the result is an intelligently melancholic biography of an anhedonistic auteur. --David Vincent
Woody Allen has long been an enigma, obscured by a façade no less carefully constructed than his films. How fine is the autobiographical line between film character and the reality? How far has Allen retrospectively rewritten his life? To answer these questions, John Baxter examines the prolific artistic career of one of the few people to have successfully played all three roles of writer, director and star.
Allen's films are celebrated for their wit and their ironic characterisations of Manhattan types, together with their neuroses. The best of them – 'Annie Hall, Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanours, Bullets Over Broadway '- rank among the finest of all screen comedies. Even his well-publicised rift with his long-term partner Mia Farrow and his subsequent affair with (and marriage to) her adopted daughter Soon-Yi apparently failed to dent the calibre of his film-making or the loyalty of his audience.
John Baxter, whose previous books include acclaimed biographies of Ken Russell, Fellini, Buñuel, Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick, shrewdly deconstructs Woody, revealing his attitudes to Jewishness, sexuality and mortality, his obsession, his cinematic and writing influences, his manipulation of celebrity and, above all, his role as court jester of the Manhattan intellectual élite.
“Baxter's 'Woody Allen' is the best yet.”
Sheridan Morley, 'Sunday Times'
“A splendidly written, exhaustive account . . . a major achievement.”
Baret Magarian, 'Observer'
“A bracing corrective to the usual po-faced, sycophantic studies of the cult of Woody.”
Sean Macaulay, 'Mail on Sunday'
“Elegantly written, often hilarious.”
Humphrey Carpenter, 'Sunday Times'
“Thorough, series, mercifully un-sycophantic.”
Anne Chisholm, 'Sunday Telegraph'
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003884819
Book Description Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 14315479-6
Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780006387947
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: Very Good. By Photographs (illustrator). Reprint. PB, pictorial card covers, 492pp, b/w plates. General rubbing, creasing to covers, inside has a slight forward lean to spine, tanning to page edges, else square clean & tight. Woody Allen's life & career. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # jen002765
Book Description paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_381637966
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Seller Inventory # CHL5412420
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Seller Inventory # CHL2523466
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780006387947
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 3058333-20
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # mon0001774431