A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy

Rating:
Summary: Woody in the Woods
Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY has little comparison to Shakespeares Midsummer Night's Dream. Well, there is partner swapping and the appearance of floating lights, but its true colors show through. Trapping members of the opposite sex in one property for the entire film, this film is more like Woody's claustophobic dramas (INTERIORS, SEPTEMBER) with a sense of humor. There are some great moments of humor, mostly limited to Woody Allen's standard character traits as he is thrust into a period piece. The film has some great cinematography and a nice classical music score, something that Woody usually avoids. One of Woody's average efforts, MIDSUMMER has a nice widescreen transfer and is also available in the latest WOODY ALLEN box set. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Woody in the Woods
Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY has little comparison to Shakespeares Midsummer Night's Dream. Well, there is partner swapping and the appearance of floating lights, but its true colors show through. Trapping members of the opposite sex in one property for the entire film, this film is more like Woody's claustophobic dramas (INTERIORS, SEPTEMBER) with a sense of humor. There are some great moments of humor, mostly limited to Woody Allen's standard character traits as he is thrust into a period piece. The film has some great cinematography and a nice classical music score, something that Woody usually avoids. One of Woody's average efforts, MIDSUMMER has a nice widescreen transfer and is also available in the latest WOODY ALLEN box set. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best ever
Review: A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT SEX COMEDY (1982) dir. and writ. Woody Allen (who else?)

I saw it last night, first time on the glorious DVD edition. Had seen it before, but had faded memories.

Glorious photography by Gordon Willis (The Godfather). Music by Felix Mendelssohn.

Three mismatched couples set out for the countryside to have a look at nature (one imagines), and to seek libidinal pleasures.

Don't look for William Wordsworth, however, or for D.H. Lawrence here.

What you have is, as almost always, an irreverent farce, intended to ridicule both romantic and sexual love, and to illustrate the pettiness of human sexual relations. Nothing biting or archetypal here--just a little Woody Allen wit (when it hits), a little nonsense, silly people doing silly things, no love scenes to speak of, no plotline worth following, no memorable scenes (as happens in some Woody Allen). Of course, the literary references are there--this is a takeoff on Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream (what else with a title like that?)--the parody of a lyric farce, to put it this way--and the musical application of Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream."

The whole blends wonderfully, if you don't mind all of the above and if you are intent on the photography and the music--and a few of the comic situations that spring up in the middle of the inanity of the whole, or the good one-liners that inevitably creep into everything Woody-Allenish. Of particular comic treat is Jose Ferrer's unexpected tantrum-like imitation of a bland, utterly preposterous professor of philosophy, who preaches the pleasures of the flesh and the non-existence of the spirit (no evidence of that, he says); one Leopold who is about to be married to one Ariel (Mia Farrow), while casting out his net for his friendly doctor's (Tony Roberts') little wife (Julie Haggerty); the doctor, however, lusts for Ariel, as does Allen (almost forgotten in his second-fiddle role here), whose marriage to Mary Steenburgen is a sexual calamity. Incidentally, to the movie's credit, Allen has departed from his usual Manhattan persona as a schnook/lover/intellectual, and he presents himself as an inventor of totally useless devices, a soul-lamp (I don't know what else to call it), for instance, which lights up and explodes when a body is severed from its soul. There is also a flying machine, propelled by bicycle pedals--ridden by Allen himself who lands on various bushes. Of course, the tangle of trios is untangled somewhat when the professor gives up the spirit in the middle of an extra-rapturous lust spasm with Haggerty (we don't see this). The lamp lights, of course, and the plot ends--there is nothing else to say.

Go back to the music, if you will, and the several exquisite shots of dahlias, flower-beds, bees gathering pollen, or birds in the midst of a love-song. All this in upper New York State, which has gardens one can imagine only in Jane Austen film festivals. If you are a lover of Woody Allen no matter what, you already have seen this several times. If you are not, give it a try. Art for art's sake (which this vaguely is) is better than dirt for dirt's sake, which this could have been in lesser hands.

Rating:
Summary: A farce for farce's sake
Review: A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT SEX COMEDY (1982) dir. and writ. Woody Allen (who else?)

I saw it last night, first time on the glorious DVD edition. Had seen it before, but had faded memories.

Glorious photography by Gordon Willis (The Godfather). Music by Felix Mendelssohn.

Three mismatched couples set out for the countryside to have a look at nature (one imagines), and to seek libidinal pleasures.

Don't look for William Wordsworth, however, or for D.H. Lawrence here.

What you have is, as almost always, an irreverent farce, intended to ridicule both romantic and sexual love, and to illustrate the pettiness of human sexual relations. Nothing biting or archetypal here--just a little Woody Allen wit (when it hits), a little nonsense, silly people doing silly things, no love scenes to speak of, no plotline worth following, no memorable scenes (as happens in some Woody Allen). Of course, the literary references are there--this is a takeoff on Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream (what else with a title like that?)--the parody of a lyric farce, to put it this way--and the musical application of Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream."

The whole blends wonderfully, if you don't mind all of the above and if you are intent on the photography and the music--and a few of the comic situations that spring up in the middle of the inanity of the whole, or the good one-liners that inevitably creep into everything Woody-Allenish. Of particular comic treat is Jose Ferrer's unexpected tantrum-like imitation of a bland, utterly preposterous professor of philosophy, who preaches the pleasures of the flesh and the non-existence of the spirit (no evidence of that, he says); one Leopold who is about to be married to one Ariel (Mia Farrow), while casting out his net for his friendly doctor's (Tony Roberts') little wife (Julie Haggerty); the doctor, however, lusts for Ariel, as does Allen (almost forgotten in his second-fiddle role here), whose marriage to Mary Steenburgen is a sexual calamity. Incidentally, to the movie's credit, Allen has departed from his usual Manhattan persona as a schnook/lover/intellectual, and he presents himself as an inventor of totally useless devices, a soul-lamp (I don't know what else to call it), for instance, which lights up and explodes when a body is severed from its soul. There is also a flying machine, propelled by bicycle pedals--ridden by Allen himself who lands on various bushes. Of course, the tangle of trios is untangled somewhat when the professor gives up the spirit in the middle of an extra-rapturous lust spasm with Haggerty (we don't see this). The lamp lights, of course, and the plot ends--there is nothing else to say.

Go back to the music, if you will, and the several exquisite shots of dahlias, flower-beds, bees gathering pollen, or birds in the midst of a love-song. All this in upper New York State, which has gardens one can imagine only in Jane Austen film festivals. If you are a lover of Woody Allen no matter what, you already have seen this several times. If you are not, give it a try. Art for art's sake (which this vaguely is) is better than dirt for dirt's sake, which this could have been in lesser hands.

Rating:
Summary: The farce to end all farces
Review: Absolutely hilarious... and brilliant! Funny, charming, a joy to watch. All Woody Allen fans must see this one - the true wit and humor of Allen shines.

Rating:
Summary: Midsummer night's bliss
Review: At last, Woody's finest film on DVD. And it has never looked so good. Neither in the cinema nor on VHS has justice been done to this beautiful film, looking for all the world like an animated impressionist painting.

This is Mr Allen's most sentimental, romantic and least cynical work. The location, the light, the cinematography, Mendelsshon's music and Jose Ferrer's acting all work together to make a funny, charming, gorgeous film. And now we can see it widescreen, framed as Allen and Willis intended.

I have been waiting since DVD was invented for this film on disc. It is not a disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: Under-Appreciated Masterpiece
Review: Have to agree with Mr. Terry Lane--this is a fabulous movie. It's my sentimental favorite of all Allen's films. I've seen a lot of mediocre reviews of this film and that's a shame. I guess I couldn't rightly say that this is his "best" film, but I do believe it is his "best executed." The setting, the characters, the cinematography just all click. Sure, it isn't his deepest film, it is probably less cynical than most of his other films, but folks, that's not the point of this little gem. In spite of the Smiles on a Summer Night inspiration, this film really owes more (and owes it more directly) to Shakespeare's fantasy comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream.

As one review mentioned, this is a piece of Impressionism. It isn't about meaning or message specifically--it's about mood. And let me tell you, this film captures the mood of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream better than any production of the play I have ever seen--and I'm not exaggerating. Critics of Woody Allen's "Sex Comedy" have no right mouthing off unless they are open to and can appreciate the whimsy that makes Shakespeare's comedies so affecting. That, it seems to me, was the point of the originals, and that is also the point of this movie. We, the audience, like gods are peering in on the mere mortals as they haplessly play at the game of life. We laugh at and with them because we are so far removed, but really, they reflect us, and this draws us in where we can also be happily implicated. In true comedy we recognize our own humanity--it is the art of comedy to show us these things that could be painful, this suffering that defines our existence, in a way that we can do nothing but laugh and simply accept it. That is a subtle art and one worthy of respect. A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is a perfect example of this art of whimsy and is a perfect amalgam of Shakespeare and Allen. This is probably unfair to say, but the film also captures a feeling that American films just don't do well--it can seem very European and is maybe, for this reason, harder to relate to for many Americans.

And, oh yes, by the way, this film is filled with some of the most beautiful shots, music, and locations I've ever seen. What a fabulous place to escape to! I've been chomping at the bit for years for this to come out on DVD. Whenever I watch this film I can't help but be overcome with joy--and believe me, I'm not a light movie flake. If I could pick two movie characters I identify with the most it would be Shrek and the Grinch (although maybe I just have a green thing going on). But even a grumpy old coot needs to let his inner soft side out every once in a while.

If anybody I know is listening, please, get me this for Christmas!

Rating:
Summary: Classic comedy!
Review: I have always loved this movie and I was tremendously happy when it came out on DVD. It is a bit of a departure for Woody Allen, in that his character actually believes in a spirit world, whereas Woody Allen is always an atheist/agnostic in his movies, as he is in life. There are some genuinely hilarious moments, as well as a fine exploration of interpersonal relationships and marital fidelity.

Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Classic comedy!
Review: I have always loved this movie and I was tremendously happy when it came out on DVD. It is a bit of a departure for Woody Allen, in that his character actually believes in a spirit world, whereas Woody Allen is always an atheist/agnostic in his movies, as he is in life. There are some genuinely hilarious moments, as well as a fine exploration of interpersonal relationships and marital fidelity.

Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best ever
Review: I think this is one of the best film comedies ever. It's surely one of Allen's best. It plays all his themes, from being a jerk to winning the girl, from love triangles to silly human foibles. It's fast-paced at times and at other times idyllic and lyrical. And it's an excellent version of Midsummer Night's Dream, which is an intellectually-satisfying bonus.