Is it Mia Farrow's expression when she comes to the Danny’s door to say sorry? Or is it Woody Allen's blank look when she says: “I came to apologize.” Or it could be the romantic, wistful, Italian music playing in the background... Mia says: “Aren't you going to ask me in?” As she walks in, she says: "I hope I'm not intruding" And then she says: "I realize you hate me." And there's a smidgen of hope that he will listen, until his "guests" ask who's at the door and he stutters: "Oh it's nobody, it's nothing." But then Mia says: “Wasn’t it your uncle Sydney who said: 'acceptance, forgiveness and love.’? I'd like to be friends." "No I don't think that would be such a great idea." You'd never expect him to run to her after that, and when he does, half of you lifts up and sighs with relief. The movie ends on a perfect note, (literally, the music), and the classic credits; white over black. The moving scene contradicts this whole movie in itself. This movie is “Broadway Danny Rose”(1984). It’s a fairly fast paced and upbeat movie despite the depressed and depressing characters. I think the song “Agita” which opens the movie sets the tone of the film perfectly, although it is played many times in different keys throughout the whole film. The movie is about a talent manager; Danny Rose (Woody Allen) who manages has-beens and oddball acts. The only one that seems to get any popularity is Lou Canova. Lou is a has-been singer who was famous for about “fifteen minutes”(as stated in the movie). Lou has a big show at the Waldorf Astoria, and he wants Tina (Mia Farrow); the woman he’s having a love affair with, to come. So, he gets Danny involved and a great adventure starts. The movie is an epic work of Woody Allen’s. The entire movie is narrarated by 9 guys in show biz at the Carnegie deli discussing which Danny Rose story is the best. They remember him from his stand up comedy. Finally one guy says: “Trust me, I’ve got the best Danny Rose story.” (And it’s true.) So the the story starts and ends with these guys. I thought this was a nice touch, to keep in contact with the present.
This movie is excellent; it is not my favorite Woody Allen movie, I think, but extremely close, this movie gets A- from me.
Lucy
