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In un piccolo ristorante di New York, un gruppo di vecchi artisti del varietà ricorda i tanti episodi delle rispettive carriere, più favoleggiate che autentiche, nonché i vari tipi e "numeri" di successo. Ma tutti poi tacciono, quando uno del gruppo prende a raccontare la curiosa vita e le gesta di Danny Rose, un modesto impresario del loro ambiente, collezionista più di fallimenti che di successi e, tuttavia, tenacissimo nel piazzare i suoi assistiti e con loro sempre cordiale ed amico. Curiosamente, quei rari artisti che furono lanciati, tutti abbandonarono il bravo agente. E così fece - racconta il narratore - anche Lou Canova, un ciccione italo-americano, noto a suo tempo per le melodiche canzoni stile anni '50. Il bravo Danny, fiutato il buon vento del "revival", si dette subito da fare per mettere in orbita Lou, in ciò aiutato anche dalla di lui amica Tina, conoscente di un grosso "manager" dello spettacolo. Tutto era pronto per la sera del grande lancio, senonché la nervosa Tina fece le bizze, mandando Canova a quel paese, rifiutandosi di assistere al debutto (era la situazione coniugale del suo bello ad irritarla) e addirittura scappando, per rifugiarsi nella villa di un "boss" mafioso (innamorato di lei). Mentre Lou, sconvolto, si dava alla bottiglia, Danny Rose, preoccupatissimo per l'imprevedibile intoppo, partì alla caccia della donna: ritenuto dal "boss" come cotto di Tina, quest'ultimo mise alle costole dei due un paio di truci sicari di origine sicula, che li sequestrarono, dopo scorribande frenetiche, in un magazzino, sotto minaccia di morte, salvo rivelazione, da parte della donna, del nome del rivale del grande capo. Posti i sicari su di una falsa pista e liberatisi dalle corde, Danny e Tina...
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. D. Woods
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
One of Woody Allen's finest films and a personal favourite of mine, this is a beautifully understated tale of an everyman talent agent and his relationships with his endless line of spectacularly awful theatrical acts. Danny Rose is played with a baffled kind of innocence by Allen in what is probably his most sympathetic role as a bumbling loser. And he is excellent, toning down his usually caustic barbs (fret not, there're still some belters) in order to bring out the sweetness of Rose's nature. Mia Farrow enjoys one of her best Woody-written roles as the sharp-tongued moll of Nick Apollo Forte's alcoholic lounge singer, bringing considerable warmth to a character that may have eluded other actresses. Forte himself brings presence and heart to the film, deserving all he brings on himself and yet somehow never turning you against him.
It has always been a strength of Allen's that his characters can still draw you in, even if they are fundamentally unlikeable or shallow. This fits in well with the bittersweet tone of 'Broadway Danny Rose' that has a ominous message of lost hope and dreams behind the humour. The final scene between Allen and Farrow at Rose's squalid flat is one of the best I have ever seen, with hardly a word passing from their lips and still managing to make you ache with a contrast of feeling. The banter of the coffee shop comedians is also a clever touch, with Rose clearly considered an example of failure, yet is spoken of with warmth and appreciation.
For me, this film is a meditation on ambition and the repercussions of chasing your dreams. No-one gets what they want, in the way that they want it but all are affected in the pursuit of something better.
It has always been a strength of Allen's that his characters can still draw you in, even if they are fundamentally unlikeable or shallow. This fits in well with the bittersweet tone of 'Broadway Danny Rose' that has a ominous message of lost hope and dreams behind the humour. The final scene between Allen and Farrow at Rose's squalid flat is one of the best I have ever seen, with hardly a word passing from their lips and still managing to make you ache with a contrast of feeling. The banter of the coffee shop comedians is also a clever touch, with Rose clearly considered an example of failure, yet is spoken of with warmth and appreciation.
For me, this film is a meditation on ambition and the repercussions of chasing your dreams. No-one gets what they want, in the way that they want it but all are affected in the pursuit of something better.
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Less visually overhelming than the previous "Zelig" or apparently not as deep as "Another Woman",this disguised new version of "Manhattan" places itself alongside Woody's finest work, although is not amongst the best known ones.
The film is structured as a christian metaphor: some comedians gather together to eat while they remeber the times and works of the most extravagant manager ever. To round this religious meaning, even a sandwich in that eating place is called Danny Rose.
What makes this film so charming is its lack of pretensions. Woody slightly departs from his usual persona while Mia Farrow delivers one of her finest performances so far, in a role that had practically nothing to do with her. The story, too, is one of the warmest ones written by Woody, totally full of love for all the lesser comedians Danny Rose manages, and even comprehension for those who betray him when they achieve success. If you mix this with even a mafia subplot, what you get is one of the most complete Woody Allen's movies: wise jokes, tons of laughter, a moving ending, and all superbly photographed in glorious black and white by a Gordon Willis at the peak of his career.
A deceiving film. A masterpiece. Probably Woody's most intimate, delicate and beautiful picture. A must have
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Fans of Woody Allen are sure to enjoy the comedy, "Broadway Danny Rose." He plays Danny, a third-rate manager of has-been performers, including Lou, a washed-up singer who may be making a comeback. Lou wants his girlfriend to come to his big show (without his wife knowing), so he asks Danny to bring her. Danny and Tina (Mia Farrow) end up spending a frenetic day together running from hit men.
This movie is basically an eighty-four minute monologue by Allen doing his typical fast-talking-schmoozer routine. The dialogue is fast and funny and Allen is, well, Allen. Mia Farrow is virtually unrecognizable as a cheap bimbo and does a good job playing against type, but the spotlight is on Woody all the way. Filmed in black and white in cinema-verite style on the streets of New York, this is vintage Woody Allen with non-stop one-liners and show-biz jokes.
Kona
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
supremely enjoyable
Each time I see a new Woody Allen I keep thinking the bubble will burst, but each time it turns out to be an amazing experience. Read more
Published 14 months ago by schumann_bg
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Woody's Best
This is one of my favourite Woody Allen films (along with Manhattan, The Purple Rose of Cairo and Crimes and Misdemeanors), and I think is one of his funniest straight comedies... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Keith M
4.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely, gentle modern fable
A sweet, fun, well-told, Damon Runionesque fable of a well meaning if pathetic theatrical manager getting caught up with the mob. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2010 by K. Gordon
3.0 out of 5 stars
Usual Woody
Not Woody's best but amusing. It does have it moments and I like the way the film is shot as a bunch of broadway people looking back affectionately at the life of Danny Rose. Read more
Published on 28 May 2010 by C Discerning
5.0 out of 5 stars
Broadway Danny Rose
One of Woody Allens most funny films with eccentric characters and characterisations of the mafia,ridiculously hopeless broadway entertainers and agents. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2010 by J. Thubron
4.0 out of 5 stars
Class!
This isn't quite up there with Annie Hall and Manhattan. However, its in my top 10 Woody Allen films and that means its better than 95% of the rubbish being churned out by... Read more
Published on 5 April 2006 by S J Buck
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