Why does Woody Allen HATE This movie so much?

Well it's all subjective, isn't it? The example you used, for instance, "I could understand if he'd said Deconstructing Harry" well for me Deconstructing Harry is one of his six best movies and i would find it equally as baffling if he had said that about it.

Manhattan isn't his most successful film ever by a long shot by any criteria. Critically it's probably Annie Hall or Hannah, in terms of academy award nominations it's definitely Annie Hall, and financially Match Point and Vicky Christina both did much much better than Manhattan. Allen disliked this film so much that offered to make the studio an entirely new movie for free if they shelved this one. i think he was just disappointed at the discrepancy between what he thought it was going to be like and how it came out. I don't really understand it as it's my favourite Allen movie and possibly my favourite movie ever, but Allen has just as much a right to hate it as anyone else has to love it.





"Reality is the new fiction they say, truth is truer these days, truth is man-made"

I think he regretted making it because he realized it revealed too much about his real personality.

As stupid flanders has pointed out, it may not have turned out as he had envisioned—maybe he thought it might have been funnier. Allen, may also have had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek if he made the alleged statement as to disliking it.

"I don't know why but I just found him, or his aura, repulsive in this movie. I really couldn't stand watching his face. His neuroticism made me nauseous also. I didn't get that feeling from his other films of this era. I found him charming in those but in this I just wanted to slam a door in his face. It did seem creepy...I think it is because of the relationship with the young girl...and that reminded me of his real life affairs, which seem kind of repulsive to me. I don't think I can watch any more films with him as one of the main actors".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I couldn't agree more with your full statement. Since I loved most of his movies in which he didn't take part as an actor, I decided I'd give a try to the ones in which he does, and now I can't help feeling the same as you. I just find it unbelievable that so many beautiful women could be in love with him (yes, I know he and Diane Keaton were a couple at the time, but he already was a famous director and a celebrity in "the real world" at the time, which is not what happens in his movies).

I wish he would have given the lead characters to other actors instead of starring his movies. Despite I tried so hard to like him, I came to the conclusion I can't stand him, and it's not only regarding his unpleasant looks, but I also have the feeling he's always playing the same character over and over again in all of his movies I've seen so far. He looks, talks and behaves exactly the same in all of them!

Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

You are right on the money JaysonT.

He, like so many people, looked on Manhattan as a good movie. He's either aggrandising the movie using his quirky reasoning or the pedaphilic of his character got to him.

Cause it's an unbelievably bad film.

I would hate it too. Manhattan is just one garbage film.

I don't know why Woody doesn't like it, but I just re-watched it today and I agree with him that it's not one of his best. I know that isn't a popular opinion, but I love Woody's movies and this isn't one of my favorites of his. I think I liked it a bit more years ago, but I don't feel like it holds up. It's not very funny, and the story doesn't really go anywhere. Sure it's beautiful to look at and the music is great and there are some funny moments, but overall the story and characters leave a lot to be desired. I will admit that I'm odd because I love Stardust Memories, and so many people seem to hate that film.