Deconstructing Harry
Directors: Woody Allen
Producers: Jean Doumanian
Writers: Woody Allen
Features: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Cast Biographoes, Filmographies and more! Standard 1.33:1, Widescreen 1.85:1, ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Stereo, FRENCH: Dolby Digital Stereo, SUBTITLES English, French
Characters:
Woody Allen - Harry Block
Judy Davis - Lucy
Elizabeth Shue - Fay
Billy Crystal - Larry
Kirstie Alley - Joan
Edward Norton - Holden
Genre: Drama
Review:
When I saw Deconstructing Harry 2 years ago, it was my first exposure to Woody Allen. From those first five minutes, I have been a fan, and I have now managed to see most of his films. I gotta say, though, that Woody Allen is a very individual thing -- you will either love him or hate him, and you will know very quickly. For an idea of vaguely comparable humor, try Flirting With Disaster (I reviewed it here a couple of weeks ago).
Once it's been made clear that Deconstructing Harry is a pretty typical Woody Allen film, there really isn't much to say about it. Harry Block is a neurotic New Yorker with a predilection for hookers and serious relationship problems. I find the first half or so to be quite good -- funnier than his average film. Unfortunately, the film takes a turn toward the bizarre and the somewhat serious for the last half or so, still offering occasional laughs but not sustaining its earlier quality.
For Woody fans, this movie is definitely worth checking out. For those who dislike the fellow, this movie isn't going to change your mind. For those unfamiliar with his work, this isn't a bad introduction, but Annie Hall or Mighty Aphrodite might prove a better choice.
The DVD looks fine, sounds fine (pretty sure it's mono -- most of his films are), and is pretty cheap. It's in a snapper case and there is pretty much nothing in the way of extras. Unfortunately none of his other DVDs fare much better.
---John