Overrated

Oh, you're right, I forgot. It's not how funny a film really is, it's how funny you're supposed to think it is. You guys are right.

I just saw it for the first time, watching it in three stretches over the last few days on the DVR. It aired on Dish Network's Blockbuster channel. I thought it was hilarious, myself. I laughed so hard in some of the scenes, harder than I've laughed at a movie in a very long time, and it felt great. I especially laughed a lot at the scene where Miles had on the silver inflatable suit.

I think this is only one Woody Allen movie I've seen in its entirety. I don't remember what the other one was that I saw, but I don't recall any slapstick comedy in it, and I'm a big fan of slapstick. Sleeper reminded me of a Mel Brooks movie.

Sleeper is good, Bananas is good, both are rather sophomoric in my opinion, but then no one did that form better than Allen. The jumps and skips and pseudo-cultural references that he seemed to think of as life in New York were worth many chuckles over the years. Another of his films at that level, one not mentioned much, is Take The Money And Run, another film that, since I never expect much from it, always eases the tension of the daily grind.

I don't think it's underrated or overrated. It's simply "there". Comedy fans don't like it much, and die hard Woody fans, don't regard it highly. It's just a mildly funny Woody film. It's not offensive, it's simply not great.

Though, when you release one film a year (how many has he directed now? 50?), it's amazing even his weaker efforts like this, are worth watching.


Last film seen: Robert Bresson's Pickpocket - Brilliant!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053168/

I own the DVD and watch it at least once a year. I don't think it's "overrated", contrary, I think it's underrated and doesn't get that much attention.