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'Bullets Over Broadway' -- I was there last night too, Alan! ...

Posted by: flaguy 11:33 am EDT 03/18/14
In reply to: Bullets Over Broadway tonight (Spoilers and VERY long) - AlanScott 04:39 am EDT 03/18/14

I loved it!

To me it's the same 'musical comedy heaven' formula that worked on THE PRODUCERS, and it's working again.

This is the very definition of what I believe people have come to expect when they go to see a big Broadway show. And I can't believe anybody will be disappointed with it. OR find it incoherent!?

I even liked the finish at the cast party with the singing of 'Yes, We Have No Bananas.'

Didn't Woody's film RADIO DAYS have a similar finish? It seemed kinda familiar, and very Woody, to me.

Anyway, I've always been an admirer of Stroman's work, and I think she's done a great job here.

My one disappointment is that Zach Braff doesn't really sing all that well. But I forgive him, because he IS very funny.


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re: 'Bullets Over Broadway' -- I was there last night too, Alan! ...

Posted by: AlanScott 08:15 pm EDT 03/18/14
In reply to: 'Bullets Over Broadway' -- I was there last night too, Alan! ... - flaguy 11:33 am EDT 03/18/14

Big spoilers below about changes from the film.

Sorry to have not seen you last night.

I wouldn't say that this ending is quite similar to the interestingly bittersweet ending of Radio Days, which is probably my favorite Allen film along with Bullets, but I do see what you mean.

If anything, the fact that no one, including David, gives a second thought to the death of Cheech or expresses regret keeps it from being bittersweet at the end. You might think that Helen, having learned the truth, would express a moment of regret about the loss of a potentially great playwright and also a being potentially great lover. That might be a good comic moment to add.

Re Zach Braff's singing: they even make a joke about it at one point, but he seems to be intentionally singing badly there.

One problem I've had with Stroman's work before, and I have it again here, is her direction of onstage moments where things are supposed to change or go wrong in an actual performance. They always seem fuzzy and not-thought-out to me, and I think that's true again here. But the writers also always bear responsibility in those cases.


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PS -- I was in the front row of the mezz, which was WONDERFUL! (nm)

Posted by: flaguy 11:36 am EDT 03/18/14
In reply to: 'Bullets Over Broadway' -- I was there last night too, Alan! ... - flaguy 11:33 am EDT 03/18/14

!


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