MovieChat Forums > Bananas (1971) Discussion > The movie was too forced

The movie was too forced

posted 16 years ago by FFellini
10 replies | jump to latest

Bananas ranks very poorly in my tastes because this comedy forces us to laugh. Woody Allen tries too hard to squeeze comedy out of his lines. It's almost as if he wants to freeze time so that he can shoot out one of his one liners. As the film progresses, it becomes obvious, which therefore became increasingly annoying after a while.

It was also very annoying to see him try so hard to be Charlie Chaplin. While I was happy to see a 'Modern Times' tribute, there are many parts (just music, no sound) where he even attempts to maneuver like Charlie and mimic his facial expressions.

Anyone understand or perhaps agree with what I'm saying?

[–] banders46 16 years ago

I agree that he's paying homage to Chaplin throughout the film, but unlike you, I think it's charming and works rather well. I just watched it last night, and several times I thought to myself, "Wow, this is just like a Chaplin silent movie. Beautiful." While he wasn't doing anything new, to reintroduce the techniques of the silent comedy in the early 1970s was a brave act of artistry.

[–] CelluloidMec 15 years ago

I agree with both posters. I think it was a funny, charming movie, but definitely not one of Allen's better efforts. I think he had more success with silent movie homage in Sleeper.

[–] stephenpaultaylor 15 years ago

i disagree with all of you.

it was brilliant
sheer brilliance

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] FranLovesBetteD 12 years ago

The movie has some funny moments. The only thing I really disliked was the very ending scene: the parallelism between the consummation of marriage and a boxing match. I found it to be pointless and not funny at all.

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Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

[–] maz89 11 years ago

Yeah, that was the kind of thing that might have looked good on paper but just came across as really forced on the screen. Hit-and-miss type of comedy, mostly. Certainly not amongst his best.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

[–] mattiasflgrtll6 11 years ago

I thought that was hilarious but didn't work as an ending. Just felt VERY abrupt! :S

[–] cultfilmfreaksdotcom 11 years ago

I think he's much funnier than Chaplin, and wrote better stuff.

And My Movie Reviews www.cultfilmfreaks.com

[–] sfrsez 10 years ago

it was woodys best acting. he also looked great. overall his best comi9cal performance.