Stardust Memories

With the exception of "Annie Hall" this is easily Woody Allens most personal film and I think its also an homage to the Fellini film 8 1/2 as we watch Allen as Sandy Bates. He's a very successful filmmaker and is hounded by autograph seekers wherever he goes. While at a film festival honoring his work, Bates reflects on his life and relationships and also what direction to take his career into. The studio hates his new film and want it changed. Sound familiar? It should. Charlotte Rampling plays Dorrie who is Bates girlfriend and Marie-Christine Barrault is a woman that Bates has always been in love with and she has just left her husband and taken the kids with her. You can't argue the fact that this is self indulgent as a lot of the critics of this film have complained about. But its suppose to be. I was a little annoyed at some of the turns that the film took and I never really understood the whole UFO watcher segment. Allen does a good job of showing the problems of being a celebrity like the never ending autograph hounds that pop in every situation when he's trying to say something important to someone. It also shows his frustration at the studios who complain that he's not funny enough and want to take control of his own film. But these points are made early and then the rest of the film gets at times repetitive. Yes, we know you don't want to make funny movies anymore because your depressed at the world. One of the fun things about this film is "Spotting the star". Daniel Stern, Amy Wright, Anne DeSalvo, Brent Spiner, Cynthia Gibb and Sharon Stone makes her film debut as the party woman on the train. Not nearly as bad as some have been saying and it does reflect on Woody's conscience. Over the years this film is probably more interesting than when it first came out. Still a must for Allen fans and I think others will have to take their chances on this reflective film.

source: Stardust Memories

Trailer—Stardust Memories

Stardust Memories

All films are autobiographical. This is the film where one could easily say that the main character is Woody Allen. But that is way to simple. Allen has seen everything in all those years, including the person who wallows in success, but who still feels empty. Allen's early films were funny (as the newer ones are), but in much more traditional way. It's like the singer who experiments with his or her craft and everyone wants to hear the big hit. This film has a harder edge than most, but it is well worth seeing without any preconceptions of judgments.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an authentic Woody Allen masterpiece. In Stardust Memories, there is everything that made me fall in love with this incredible artist since I watched Annie Hall for the first time, years ago. It's one of the most significant, sensitive and subtle works from Allen's filmography and a sincerely gift from the director to all of his genuine fans. Stardust Memories is so much more than a autobiographical inspired film, it's a reflection exercise about what life means to each one of us and how we cannot take it so seriously all the time. Loved it in every way! When someone asks me why I love Woody Allen so bad, I'll show just Annie Hall and Stardust Memories. Makes me sad realize it's one of his most underrated films.

Many of Woody Allen's movies have been introspective and autobiographical, yet this is the most introspective and autobiographical of all of them. Incredibly layered and complex, probably too much so. Still contains the usual Allen wit and clever dialogue, but toned down to be more serious. Truly captures the spirit of a director at a crossroads, and a quandary over where his true direction lies. However, as mentioned, it is overly complex. Scenes seem discontinuous and random at times. Also, if you aren't a Woody Allen fan (luckily I am one), many of the in-jokes and self-references will be lost on you. Solid performances all round, especially as the roles would have been difficult to play, considering the complexity of the script. As always, Woody Allen gets to play himself, though this time the character is actually himself. Probably the least accessible Woody Allen movie, but definitely worth the watch if you are a fan.

While attending a retrospect of his work, a filmmaker (Woody Allen) recalls his life and his loves: the inspirations for his films. The humor of Woody Allen, inspired by Fellini, and starring Woody along with the amazing Jessica Harper. And who can forget the under-rated actress Charlotte Rampling? She takes center stage in this picture. How do we categorize this film? I would say it is one of his more serious films, but that may not be fair -- it still has a lot of great, intelligent jokes and some of the segues are just plain weird. Not to mention aspects that seem to be daydreams... there are UFOs, magic tricks, a monster...

Without a leading lady to write for, Woody Allen concocts a showcase just for himself; the results are intentionally grotesque, certainly watchable but also a little bit uncomfortable. Allen has said in interviews that his role as a filmmaker attending a festival of his own movies is really nothing at all like him, and his treatment of the googly-eyed fans are not how he views his admirers in real life. After seeing the picture, that's a difficult assessment to swallow. It's a very pointed and satirical put-down of celebrity, and if you're the least bit touchy you may find "Stardust"--at the very worst--condescending. I didn't buy chilly Charlotte Rampling as a love-interest for Allen, but I did find the tacky, classless masses a neurotic hoot, and the film is amazingly photographed. It's too brash and ugly to be a truly comic experience--but as a transition picture from a commercial artist, not bad. **1/2 from ****

I remember when this first came out; after the brilliant mid 70's period of Allen - Annie Hall and Manhattan. At the time it was panned by a number of critics; but even back then I thought it was one of the true classics of Allen. I continue to watch it every couple of years - usually on one of those mid week afternoons when you've skived off work and just want to escape into the mind of someone else. Why are we all here; what is the point of anything and why cant we just make some funny films like we used to