More Than One Woody Allen Dilemma
And taking a break this week...
Dear folks,
Well, I had no idea that Crimes and Misdemeanors was available literally NOWHERE (legal, that is) for streaming. The last time I checked, it was readily available. I am deeply sorry about this. Thanks to Ken Sanders for reaching out and alerting me to this sad fact. Sigh.
I was all ready to write about and discuss Crimes and Misdemeanors–and my dear friend, former professor, and mentor, Dr. Reginald McLelland, was going to join the discussion. Dr. McLelland is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Covenant College, and he introduced me to Woody Allen’s brilliant film in the spring of 1991 when I was a freshman in his Intro to Philosophy class. Since then, I have watched and taught the film many, many times.
The good news is that there are many other very good Woody Allen* films, and after discussing a choice with Dr. McLelland, I can add it to our list for a later date. You have a chance to vote for another film below.
But this Saturday, we will take a break.
To be honest, as I am in the final days of THREE moves (moving my mom from Memphis, moving out of my university office, and moving everything out of my townhouse into storage), I do feel quite a bit like the pup in the meme above. lol
We will choose a new Allen film to watch and discuss in June. But the rest of the dates/films/speakers will stay the same. Allen made movies nearly every year from 1965-2016. Until 2005’s Match Point, most of the films were set in NY and starred the filmmaker himself. The New York films often fall into the category of classic Jewish humor, alongside Seinfeld and others.
Here are three possible watching options. PLEASE respond to the poll below the film choices:
Annie Hall (1977): Allen’s classic, quirky, yet very innovative “romantic comedy.” Starring Diane Keaton and Woody Allen. Surprise performances from Paul Simon and Marshall McLuhan! Lots of funny Freud.
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986): Dramatic, comic New York Story about relationships, affairs, and the (lack of) meaning in life. At one point, this film really examines how to be happy in a supposedly godless universe. It is one of Allen’s best films. Starring Mia Farrow, Woody Allen, Michael Caine, and many other big names.
Match Point: (2005): This was Allen’s first film set outside of NYC after a very long stretch. It is also the first of a string of films that did not star Allen at all. I do not think Match Point is one of Allen’s best films, but I chose it because it revisits the story of Crimes and Misdemeanors. Although the philosophical questions are not as pronounced and precise, they are still present (I did not plan on this much alliteration!). This film stars Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers and is set in London. It is a well made thriller.
If you want a taste of some Woody Allen humor this week, you can watch his short film Oedipus Wrecks in full below. I LOVE this movie! It’s part of a collection of short films by different directors called New York Stories (1989). Enjoy!
A VERY SERIOUS, IMPORTANT ISSUE:
*I want to be careful not to ignore the bleak, perverse realities of director Woody Allen’s own personal life. Allen has been accused of sexual assault by his adopted daughter. He is married to his stepdaughter. Many of these actions and (credible) accusations are depraved, morally reprehensible, horrific. I will not sugarcoat that.
This leads us to a complex question: should we engage in art created by someone who is an abuser? We could have a lengthy conversation on this topic alone.
I have clearly chosen to separate the art from the artist in the case of Woody Allen. I still watch his movies. But I totally understand why anyone would choose NOT to. Although I love many of Allen’s movies, I will never again watch Manhattan, a film that, in hindsight, appears to be autobiographical.
Perhaps we can have some of this conversation in discussing the chosen Allen film. Of course, I respect the choice of anyone who wants to refrain from watching an Allen film.
Here are some varying perspectives on the question:
“Why I Stopped Watching Woody Allen Movies”
“Watching Myself Watching Woody Allen Films”
Question for comments: Should we engage in the art of someone with morally reprehensible behavior?
Thanks for reading.
I'm so curious: have you viewed the docuseries regarding his moral monstrosities (Allen v. Farrow)? The revelations are heartbreaking and deeply disturbing. My viewing of this docuseries has led me to an intense personal boycott of his creative works. Part of the survivors' pleas and continued pain points lie around his professional successes in spite of their painful stories being brought to light for many years. The suppression of their stories has been disheartening, but I am thankful for the docuseries that amplifies their voices at long last.
You raise an important question about engaging with art made by truly morally reprehensible artists. I think we'll probably find different personal convictions on this question, but I would love to hear the thoughts of others on it. Perhaps, given the high value on empathy in this lovely community, a discussion of Allen's film should be paired with some engagement with the docuseries? Just a thought!
Well shoot, I just picked up "Crimes and Misdemeanors" from the library this morning! I'll still watch it but will miss having a class debrief.