Here’s a quick rundown of the three films in this anthology:
The Scorsese short is terrific, especially Nick Nolte’s performance. It’s exactly what I look for in projects like this: A unique story that couldn’t fit a feature, but shines at 40 minutes. It has some spine-crushing needle drops and lots to say about the relationship between sex and art and psycho-sexual manipulation.
The Coppola short is a stinker. It feels like a bad TV episode from Nickelodeon in the ’90s. Other than a few cool shots, a total waste of time.
The Allen segment (the reason I pulled it up) is a solidly amusing throwback to his “early, funny” days, with a punchline rhythm that evokes his first few films. The bizarre fantasy element made me think of his Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex film.
1 terrific, 1 bad, 1 solid by three great directors… a worthwhile watch, but a slight disappointment in aggregate.
- Review Series: Woody Allen
Is It Good?
Good (5/8)
Note: This capsule review was originally published elsewhere. If I watch this movie again, I might expand this to a full-length review.
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