Woody Allen’s new film,
"Anything Else," proves to be anything but.
The film shows how the director, traditionally more popular with baby
boomers, can connect with younger audiences.
The film stars Jason Biggs — of "American Pie" fame — as aspiring
comedy writer Jerry Falk who believes that the little miseries of life
are just like anything else. He has become a pushover in all his relationships
— especially with his live-in girlfriend, Amanda, played by Christina
Ricci ("The Opposite of Sex," "Sleepy Hollow"). She
becomes the ultimate worst girlfriend, who leads Jerry on with her evasiveness.
"Do you love me?" Jerry asks,
"What a question!" responds
Amanda. "Just 'cause I pull away
when you try to touch me?"
Jerry meets up with fellow
comedy writer David Dobel,
played by (who else?) Woody Allen. The two strike up a fast
friendship as Dobel imparts words
of wisdom to young Jerry. In between the jokes and one-liners,
Dobel helps Jerry realize he’s
trapped in bad relationships that
are keeping him from developing
his talent.
Other relationships plaguing
Jerry are the ones with his inept
manager, Harvey (Danny DeVito),
who uses cheap tailor anecdotes to
peddle his only client; and with
Jerry’s shrink of three years, who
would rather focus on his patient’s
absurd dreams than his emotional
issues. Tell me about the one with
the Cleveland Indians in Toys “R”
Us, he asks. Topping the list
would be Amanda’s mother
(Stockard Channing) who moves
in with the couple and reveals that
the apple never falls far from the
tree.
Allen takes a successful backseat approach to this film as a
member of the supporting cast,
rather than assuming the leading
role. He delivers the same lovably
neurotic performance that has
made him famous. Like a doting
grandfather, Dobel offers Jerry life
lessons in the form of one-liners
and hilarious anecdotes.
Biggs shows how much he has
matured from his teen-angst, pastry-loving days of the “American
Pie” series. He nails the role of a
typical Woody Allen leading man.
In “Anything Else,” his character
connects with the audience who
feel genuinely sorry for this poor
guy who can’t catch a break —
even if he brings it all on himself.
Ricci, an experienced actress,
plays a girlfriend you’ll love to
hate. She rationalizes her “commitment problems” with Jerry as
things she needs to do to make
sure she loves him. Keeping him
on a string by playing coy, then
having an asthma attack when
they kiss creates a fantastic chemistry that drives the film.
Ultimately, the hilarious “Anything Else” reveals Allen’s talent
to connect with audiences unfamiliar with his work. The romantic
comedy’s young stars will likely
attract younger fans who may
never have seen the director’s
“Mighty Aphrodite” or “Hannah
And Her Sisters,” while DeVito,
Channing, and Allen will attract
baby boomers and fans.
In the end, it’s a typical Allen comedy, but with a heart that proves
to be anything else.
