Conversations with Woody Allen

Starred review from December 31, 2007
Woody Allen biographer Lax has been conversing with the elusive, beloved film director for 36 years, and here's the proof: transcripts of their detailed shoptalk distilled into chapters covering seven elements of filmmaking—writing, casting, shooting, etc.—and Allen's career as a whole. Despite a reputation for being odd and unapproachable, the man revealed in these dialogues is likable, forthcoming and even humble: “It's just not in me to make a great film; I don't have the depth of vision to do it.†Fans, of course, will want to argue otherwise, but they'll be too absorbed by this fascinating, decades-long discussion to register the grievance. From the tremendous stable of actors Allen has directed—especially former muses Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow—to the deceptively intriguing details of editing Another Woman
, Lax's interviews are penetrating but far from formal, giving readers the unique opportunity to hear Allen's thoughts on projects in progress (everything from Bananas
to Match Point
) and to join him on location. Fans will find a trove of Woody on Woody insight (heavy on second-guessing, light on personal details), and there's much advice for the aspiring artist: “The key is to work, enjoy the process, don't read about yourself… and keep your nose to the grindstone.†Even casual fans will appreciate this work; with a handy index for tracking down favorite films and something interesting on nearly every page, it's a perfectly browsable volume. B&w photos.

Starred review from November 5, 2007
Woody Allen biographer Lax has been conversing with the elusive, beloved film director for 36 years, and here's the proof: transcripts of their detailed shop talk distilled into chapters covering seven elements of filmmaking-writing, casting, shooting, etc.-and Allen's career as a whole. Despite a reputation for being odd and unapproachable, the man revealed in these dialogues is likable, forthcoming and even humble: "It's just not in me to make a great film; I don't have the depth of vision to do it." Fans, of course, will want to argue otherwise, but they'll be too absorbed by this fascinating, decades-long discussion to register the grievance. From the tremendous stable of actors Allen has directed-especially former muses Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow-to the deceptively intriguing details of editing Another Woman, Lax's interviews are penetrating but far from formal, giving readers the unique opportunity to hear Allen's thoughts on projects-in-progress (everything from Bananas to Match Point) and to join him on location. Fans will find a trove of Woody-on-Woody insight (heavy on second-guessing, light on personal details), and there's much advice for the aspiring artist: "The key is to work, enjoy the process, don't read about yourself... and keep your nose to the grindstone." Even casual fans will appreciate this work; with a handy index for tracking down favorite films and something interesting on nearly every page, it's a perfectly browsable volume. B/w photos.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 15, 2007
Lax has followed Woody Allens life and work since the early 1970s, watching Allen evolve from stumbling novice to one of the most highly acclaimed moviemakers working today. From his earliest days, Allen was recognized as someone with an original voice and an idiosyncratic way of looking at the world, the slightly cracked perspective of a proudly territorial Jewish New Yorker. Lax points out that Allen is, however, the antithesis of his neurotic and anxious screen persona (He is in control of his work and his time). The conversations in this absorbing study, which is clearly must reading for Allen admirers and fans of contemporary cinema, are grouped thematically in sections on writing, acting, shooting, directing, editing, and scoring, and at the end of each chapter, Allen reflects on his career. First off are conversations on such early Allen films as Sleeper, Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex, and Play It Again, Sam; those on every film from the Oscar-winning Annie Hall to Match Point (a breakthrough for me) to his latest, Cassandras Dream, follow in due course. Allen talks about his longevity as a filmmaker; his audience (It was I that left them; they didnt leave me); his comedic predecessors, including Charlie Chaplin; and the late Ingmar Bergman, who influenced him the most, he says. Endlessly fascinating self-exposure by a controversial, defiantly prickly artist.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)