Woody Allen: Reel To Real

Woody Allen Reel to Real offers a summary and critique of every Woody Allen film to date, from the film maker’s earliest work to his most recent. It’s probably the most comprehensive analysis of Allen’s work, from the films themselves to film criticism in general. Whatever your opinion of Woody Allen the man, if you’re looking for a broader, deeper perspective or are interested in the discussions surrounding his work, this is likely the most complete, comprehensive discussion available.

From hits like “Annie Hall” and “Antz” to so-called disasters like his earliest film “What’s New Pussycat,” Reel To Real looks at each film and the discussions each one sparks, as well as a final section that asks what the role of a critic is. The biggest takeaways with this book include Allen often being misunderstood by critics and his disillusionment with a fickle industry. Allen’s oddball humor and his keen self-deprecating nature that is often articulated in his films also color this work.

The “Reel to Real” of the title remains somewhat at odds with the content. While readers will come to a greater understanding of Allen’s work, the man himself feels a distant, quoted presence in a book namely about his art. The realness readers are likely to discover comes across as a more perceptive and nuanced understanding of his art, but not necessarily about the man himself or his experiences, save those that are filtered through the camera lens and movie experience.

This book promises a new format, one that will be updated annually in response to readers and new criticisms. This reviewer is so far unable to comment on how this impacts the reader experience. This book will be a delight to present Allen fans and perhaps provide them with a more thorough and complex understanding of the work they already love.