Poll: Best Woody Allen Film

[P.J. Craven]

He's probably made more than eight really good-to-great movies. Others dismiss his oeuvre out of hand--feel free to do so here. If you choose "other", please tell us about your choice.

[El Protoolio]

Sleeper, Bananas and Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex are his best films.

[DregsInTheCrowd]

Of these, I am torn between Zelig and Crimes & Misdemeanors. They are drastically different films, but I love them equally.

Annie Hall is the best romantic comedy there is.

His funniest is probably What's Up Tigerlilly, but I get why it's not on this list.

[Ernest]

I have to vote Stardust Memories.

[Angus Jung]

Zelig barely beat out Woody Is Crap.

[dabrasha]

I like all the shouting family and neighbors in "Radio Days," the nastiness of "Deconstructing Harry," but think "Cassandra's Dream" is the best in the last 20+ years.

It's like a big messy Iris Murdoch/Patricia Highsmith mash-up.

[Bernardo]

Crimes and Misdemeanors. It's one of my favorite movies ever.

I still haven't seen Zelig, though.

[Earwicker]

think "Cassandra's Dream" is the best in the last 20+ years.

Holy shit, I thought that film was fucking terrible.
A worst Woody Allen film might be as interesting. I've a few too many 'bests':
Annie Hall
Stardust Memories
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanours
Purple Rose of Cairo

followed closely by:

Manhattan
Bullets Over Broadway
Husbands and Wives


I really should watch Zelig.
There was a good documentary about him on American TV recently that's worth a watch if you're a fan.

[punch_the_lion]

Not a fan. However, I pick Bananas which isn't listed. So, other.

Midnight in Paris was okay, for his more recent stuff. The trailer for his new one set in Italy looks bad.

[i am the smud]

Woody Allen sucks, but i must concede that Purple Rose of Cairo is a great film

[Mick Shrimpton]

Inspired poll. Woody Allen's dramas are funnier than his comedies.

Crimes and Misdemeanors.

[SecondEdition]

I love Bananas, but I'm not sure I'd vote for it. But no Allen film that I've seen yet makes me laugh harder than that one. Specifically, the first 15 minutes of it.

[Justin Foley]

I'm really surprised Radio Days isn't an option.

= Justin

[tallchris]

I'm gonna say Manhattan though I haven't seen it since high school. Specific images still stick out for me from that one.

[andteater]

Sleeper and Starlight Memories made me laugh the most.

Deconstructing Harry made me cry in a good way.

But in the end, Crimes and Misdemeanors is most likely his "best" film.

andyk

[crustandcrumb]

i liked sweet and lowdown. whatever.

[matthew]

I always liked Take the Money and Run.

[Angus Jung]

i liked sweet and lowdown. whatever.

Me too. It was good. Well worth seeing esp. if you're a guitar/Django-loving person.

[P.J. Craven]

I'm really surprised Radio Days isn't an option.

= Justin

There's too many good ones to choose from. With respect to proper poll choices, I couldn't even get past the '80s. It pained me not to include more of the early stuff, Interiors, Radio Days, Husbands and Wives, Match Point...

I'd be curious to hear from some serious Woody haters. I usually see him simply dismissed, rarely torn apart.

[P.J. Craven]

I've been thinking about it, and I actually have to go with Annie Hall. The element that makes his films stand apart most is his sense of humor. When he did so deliberately or otherwise, as his work shedded that element, the movies became less remarkable. Annie Hall balances his humor and seriousness just right.

That said, Manhattan and Purple Rose are standouts all the same.

Sleeper is my go-to Woody, though.