Remember when Zelig was as popular as Lindbergh?, 30 Jul 2004

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

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."

 Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

Minor gem, 11 May 2004

By	Andy Millward (Broxbourne, Herts, UK) - See all my reviews

Comparatively short, Zelig uses spoof documentary format to tell the tale of a human chameleon, a man who changes to blend into whichever environment he happens to be (eg. black for an encounter with Jesse Owens.) As such, this is a fresh, lightweight and funny film with much to say about human group behaviour and our need to be loved and liked. Allen doesn't preach in the slightest, but his thoughtfully allegorical message blends into the tale at just the right level to be effective.

In fact, if you had to criticise Zelig it might be that another director might have made it altogether a darker yarn. But in Wood's sure hands this is a gentle film that will not tax your imagination but will delight at all levels.

 Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

One of Woody Allen's many classic films., 24 Dec 2002

By	Jason Parkes "We're all Frankies'" (Worcester, UK) - See all my reviews

Zelig ties in with Allen's previous themes from psychology, here the eponymous lead is a literal chameleon, blending in with those who surround him as he travels through recent history. Amusing that Allen borrowed the witness-interview form used in Warren Beatty's Reds (1981)- pity he was forced to repeat this in the recent Sweet & Lowdown (2000). Gordon Willis's photography is simply superb here- possibly his finest work.

Zelig is one of Allen's finest works- ranking up there with such greats as Sleeper, Love & Death, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Stardust Memories, Broadway Danny Rose, Purple Rose of Cairo, Radio Days, Crimes & Misdeameanours, Husbands & Wives and Bullets Over Broadway. This film does need reissueing on VHS also!

 Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)