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Woody Allen comedy about a man with a strange ability to fit in almost anywhere. In America, during the years of the Depression, Leonard Zelig (Woody Allen) uses his chameleon-like powers to become a minor celebrity. He is seen watching Babe Ruth making a home run, cheering Adolph Hitler and rubbing shoulders with Roosevelt. Zelig becomes so celebrated that a psychiatrist (Mia Farrow) takes him on as a patient, and soon falls in love with him.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Before there was Forrest Gump shaking hands with John F. Kennedy there was Leonard Zelig interrupting a speech by Adolf Hitler. This 1983 faux-documentary from Woody Allen tells the tale of a strange little man who wanted so badly to fit in that he was able to change like a chameleon to blend in with his surroundings, whether that meant being a musician in a black band, a psychiatrist in a mental institution, or a member of the Nazi party. Mia Farrow co-stars as Dr. Eudora Fletcher, who not only treats Zelig with her radical psychiatric theories but eventually falls in love with the lovable loser, saving him from those who want to put him on display so people can watch Leonard turn Chinese, French or obese.
Cinematographer Gordon Willis deserves a lot of the credit for "Zelig," creatively aging his film to blend with the archive footage that has Leonard rubbing elbows with Fanny Brice, Charles Chaplin and Rudolf Hess. This "documentary" includes "contemporary" interviews with Dr. Fletcher (Ellen Garrison) and other figures in the life and times of Zelig as well as comments from critics such as Susan Sontag and Saul Bellow ("He touched people in a way that they perhaps did not want to be touched..."). I also must commend the unique narrative style provided by Patrick Horgan, who delivers the sly narration with the driest sense of humor ever recorded.
My favorite section of this film is when Zelig becomes the national craze of the moment, to be celebrated and exploited by dolls, games and puzzles, songs like "Leonard the Lizard," and even a Hollywood movie. "Zelig" is a much more subtle documentary parody than either "Take the Money and Run" or "Spinal Tap." Truth, fiction and absurdity are blended seamlessly in this film, which is that most rare creature, a "charming" Woody Allen movie that is a much more enjoyable experience than reading "Moby Dick."
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By D. Sutherst
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a semi documentary - style comedy from Woody Allen and i think it is definately up there with the very best. I have watched it many times and still get a load of belly laughs. Working for two sets of siamese twins with split personalities and getting paid 8 times sounds good to me. I must dash i'm taking a class in advanced masturbation and if i'm not there on time they'll start without me. Another classic.
Don't miss it you will never see anything remotely like it again
Don't miss it you will never see anything remotely like it again
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By K. Gordon
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Amazing technically, with a lot to say about society, conformity, and how we see ourselves.
This brilliantly made mock documentary about a 'human chameleon' in the 1920s and 30s who unconsciously changes his appearance in a desperate attempt to fit in and be liked, is hilarious and heartbreaking, often at the same time.
Some of the visual effects are still astounding by modern standards. And Allen gives a performance that is surprisingly subtle.
There are a few slow moments, and a few jokes feel self-conscious, but not enough to hurt the film in any way. This is tied with 'Crimes and Misdemeanors' and 'Hannah and her Sisters' for my 2nd favorite Allen film behind 'Annie Hall'.
One of the greatest films by one the great filmmakers of the 2nd half of the 20th century. Very worth seeking out.
This brilliantly made mock documentary about a 'human chameleon' in the 1920s and 30s who unconsciously changes his appearance in a desperate attempt to fit in and be liked, is hilarious and heartbreaking, often at the same time.
Some of the visual effects are still astounding by modern standards. And Allen gives a performance that is surprisingly subtle.
There are a few slow moments, and a few jokes feel self-conscious, but not enough to hurt the film in any way. This is tied with 'Crimes and Misdemeanors' and 'Hannah and her Sisters' for my 2nd favorite Allen film behind 'Annie Hall'.
One of the greatest films by one the great filmmakers of the 2nd half of the 20th century. Very worth seeking out.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky, unusual and enjoyable.
This is one of those films I will need to watch again to decide
on star ratings, but I look forward to doing so.
on star ratings, but I look forward to doing so.
Published 3 months ago by Princess
5.0 out of 5 stars
Woody at his best.
One of my favourite Woody Allen Films. Some brilliant special effects, and a magnificently re-created "period" score by Dick Hyman.
Published 5 months ago by Tough Chops
4.0 out of 5 stars
Subtle satire abounds
Woody Allen has a chameleonic reputation as a film-maker, so how apt is this 1983 film which pre-empted Forrest Gump in telling the tale of an ordinary Joe who becomes part of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth
4.0 out of 5 stars
Allen's Inventive Yarn
Woody Allen's 1983 film Zelig is a clever and beautifully constructed 'documentary' on fictional character, 'chameleon man' Leonard Zelig (played by Allen), and shot in black and... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Keith M
4.0 out of 5 stars
NOT HIS BEST BUT STILL GREAT
This is one of Woodys lesser known films which is a shame as it is very good. OK it's not his best but it's in my view in his top ten. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Stephen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Little known gem from Woody
This is a great little black & white film from Woody Allen. Like 'Take the money and run', his first feature film from the late 60s, its a fake documentary. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2011 by S J Buck
4.0 out of 5 stars
Zelig
When Woody Allen was young his movies were mostly zany. As he matured his work began to have a more reflective air. Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2010 by Ruth Hay
4.0 out of 5 stars
We Need People Like Zelig
This 'mockumentary' is funny in places (the scene with Hitler comes to mind), tender, dramatic, and intelligently made. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2010 by SIMPLE NOTES.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Meditation On Celebrity And Identity Crisis
A film like Zelig doesn't fall into any obvious category, so it's important to remember that Woody Allen is a movie category unto himself. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2009 by Philoctetes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clever Woody
This is Woody at his most inventive. Beginning in the prohibition era and filmed documentary-style largely in black and white, it tells the fictional tale of Leonard Zelig... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2007 by Tyke
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