Acclaimed and funny movie for Allen, adapted from his stage hit, ¨Play it again, Sam¨, but directed for once not by Allen but by Herbert Ross. This Woody Allen comedy deals with Allan Felix (Woody Allen), a San Francisco film critic, watches the final scenes of the 1942 film 'Casablanca' and finds himself inspired by the manliness and selflessness of the character of Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart. Soon, however, he reverts to his typical neuroses and insecurity, and recalls the recent departure of his wife Nancy (Susan Anspach) who has walked out and while his two best friends try to encourage him to score with somebody else. Meantime, Allan goes on mostly at home watching old Bogart , and the only advice he heeds is from a fantasised Bogey. Wondering how to be more self-confident, Allan imagines Bogart (Jerry Lacy) sitting in his room, advising him to treat women like dames. Later, Allan is visited by his best friends, overworked businessman Dick Christie (Tony Roberts) and his wife Linda (Diane Keaton), a model. Here's laughing at you, kid !. By day he is Woody Allen !. But When Night Falls And The Moon Rises, Humphrey Bogart Strikes Again !. It's still the same old story, a fight for love and glory !. If you're going to take advice - take it from the best !.
Although Woody Allen does not direct the film, but rather the late Herbert Ross, everything about them is smooth and feels like a film by Allen himself. The film is full of gags that seek the complicity of cinephiles and Humphrey Bogart enthusiasts. The picture marks Allen's first cinematic encounter with Keaton and the beginning of a collaboration that would culminate in the Oscar for both of them in 'Annie Hall'. It is based in part on his own life with the theme of the main role, his love for cinema and his affair with Keaton are chronicled as a wistful, episodic comedy commenting on love, loneliness, communicating, maturity, city life, and various other topics. Writer and starring Allen himself alongside his then muse and girlfriend Diane Keaton, both of whom giving stunning interpretations. Woody Allen plays the nervous and weedy Alan Félix, an extreme pessimist man that obsesses with find match but fail on all attempts, he has very sarcastic and cynical views about the world and the people around him. The picture operates on many levels, Allen is -no surprise- a nerd , an underdog and this time he's in love with his best friend's wife. Modest and simple story line provides a framework of endless gags with Allen borrowing heavily from Casablanca, in which Bogey even shows up periodically to conseul Allen on the ways of wooing women. And even the ending restages Casablanca with great panache. A good film with numerous incidental touches mark it out as one of the most unusual as well as one of the funniest of its era. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are well accompanied by a wonderful cast made up of the best actors at the time, such as: Tony Roberts who worked usually with Allen, Susan Anspach played well the wife who left him to experience a more exciting life, Jerry Lacy who performed Bogey to the hilt, Jennifer Salt, Joy Bang, Viva, among others .
Superior and endearing comedy isn't hurt by Herbert Ross directing instead Allen, who adapted the script from his own play. The motion picture was competently directed by Herbert Ross . This artisan was a good filmmaker expert on musical, drama and comedy, such as :¨Goodbye Mr Chips¨, ¨Play it again Sam¨, ¨Funny Lady¨, ¨The Sunshine Boys¨, ¨The Goodbye Girl¨, ¨The turning point¨, ¨California Suite¨ , ¨Nijinsky¨, ¨Footloose¨, ¨Protocol¨, ¨Dancers¨, ¨Pennies from Heaven¨, ¨The secret of my success¨, ¨Steel Magnolias¨, ¨My blue heaven¨, ¨Undercover blues¨, ¨Boys on the side¨ and several others. ¨Play It Again, Sam¨(1972) is an enjoyment of a film. Rating: 7/10. Better than average.
