Bananas (1971)

Twilight Time continues with their release of the early to mid-period works of director Woody Allen with this film, released in 1971 and the third feature that he directed. Keeping with his prior effort Allen not only co-wrote the film but stars in it as well.Allen plays Fielding Mellish, a nebbish if there ever was one, who spends his days working for a company that has him testing various products that seem to do him more harm than good. He meets a young activist named Nancy (Louise Lasser) who knocks on his door to ask him to sign a petition. Rather than just sign it, he talks her into meeting him on a dinner date and they begin dating. Until she tells him she's not interested, longing for more of a leader like those fighting the revolutions in Latin America and parts ways with him.In an effort to prove her wrong and having already having made plans to go, Fielding travels to San Marco. While there he is recruited by Gen. Vargas in the hopes that he will join with the rebels. Vargas' plan is to kill him which would force the hand of the U.S. to get involved and help him when one of their citizens is killed. But in only the way Fielding can, he isn't killed and goes on to join the rebels fighting there. He trains alongside this group learning their ways in the way only Allen could learn which is mostly wrong and potentially doing himself more harm than good.Eventually the rebels win and their leader Esposito takes over. But his plans for the country are no better than those of his predecessor so the rebels force him out and place Fielding in charge, fake red Castro-style beard and all. Visiting the U.S. as the new president he is re-united with Lasser who doesn't recognize him. From there things tend to get more strange and yes, that is possible.The plot at the center of the film is very simple yet works. It provides the groundwork for Allen to lay out numerous one liners and jokes that make sense in the context of what is going on. That being said it is quite easy to see that this is an early film. His later movies went on to follow a similar pattern with his comedies but also develop more of a story as well. Many have noted that his fondness for Groucho Marx shines in his early comedies and the fast paced banter and one liners is a definite give away that this is so.While this isn't the best movie that Allen ever made it certainly isn't close to one of his worst either. Much of what you see here definitely sets it in the 70s and you can tell. Interesting to note is a short sequence that features a young unknown (and uncredited!) actor playing a hood that accosts Fielding on the subway by the name of Sylvester Stallone.Twilight Time is offering the film in blu-ray format with a 1080p transfer. Extras are very limited here featuring an isolated music track, the original theatrical trailer and writings by film historian Julie Kirgo. As with all of their titles it is limited to just 3,000 copies so if you want to insure you have a complete collection of Woody Allen films make sure you order one today.

This early comedy from Woody Allen has many of his hallmark trademarks – clever dialogue, sight gags, and slapstick comedy. It also has Howard Cosell and a cameo from a young Sylvester Stallone. There is political satire – Cosell broadcasting an assassination as if it were a sporting event, J. Edgar Hoover "appearing" at a trial as an African-American woman, and a woman capturing the conservative views of the radical left so perfectly when she says in a sugary tone, "Differences of opinion should be tolerated, but not when they're too different. Then he becomes a subversive mother." But mostly it's a screwball comedy, one that for me was most interesting in the desperate relationship Allen's character, Fielding Mellish, has with a political activist (played by Louise Lasser), with her pointing out all of his shortcomings, always in such a nice tone. An example while they were breaking up – Him: "How am I immature?" Her: "Well, emotionally, sexually, and intellectually." Him: "Yeah but what other ways?" I'm sure you can just hear that in Allen's whiny, neurotic voice. This movie is not his best, but it's smart and was ahead of its time, and it's still entertaining decades later. Oh, last point - I also loved how Allen put the conservative 'National Review' in a row of pornographic magazines. :)

Bananas is a very early Woody Allen film, the second film on his resume if I remember correctly. It's a small film, but it's one that opened the eyes of everyone to the comedic talents of Woody Allen. His flair for dialogue and comedic timing, both as a director and an actor, is prevalent. He also exercises his skill for dialogue, and this film is full of fresh, wonderful dialogue. Coming off the Vietnam War and world-known trouble in Latin America, this film was ripe for opportunity and Allen seized his chance. I love the satirical tone of the film, as it lambasts everything from politics to relationships. The movie doesn't take itself seriously, and that is evident from such scenes as commentating on a sexual encounter as if it's a boxing match and the main protagonist becoming a dictator of a country. It's all quite funny, if you are willing to suspend your belief.Woody Allen's film is about a man named Fielding Mellish who is a consumer products tester. When his girlfriend dumps him, he decides to go to the fictional South American country of San Marcos for a vacation. But he gets caught in the political turmoil of that country, which is led for him to being nabbed by the FBI.The film doesn't have any stars to speak of, maybe other than Allen himself. He's quite funny and he delivers his own dialogue with expertise. If you don't believe, look no further than the courtroom scene, where he cross-examines himself. His girlfriend was played by newcomer Louise Lasser, and she does a really good job of coming across as the bored girl of the relationship. If you look closely, you may spot a cameo of Sylvester Stallone, before his Rocky days. I also loved the commentary delivered none other than Howard Coswell, one of the commentators on ABC's Wide World of Sports.Overall, Bananas is a sharp, witty motion picture that has the customary humor we expect from Woody Allen. This really isn't one of those romantic comedies he is good at making, but rather a satire against politics. This isn't the best film to come from him. There were moments I felt the comedy was forced, especially when it came to the relationships. But on the whole, a very enjoyable film.My Grade: B+

I think your enjoyment of this movie depends if you are a fan of Woody Allen or not. Since I am not, I didn't enjoy it at all.Plot In A Paragraph: Fielding Mellish (Woody Allen) works as a product tester. Fielding has the hots for Nancy (Louise Lasser), the girl collecting petition signatures door to door for the liberation of San Marcos, so he pretends to be interested in her cause. A relationship develops between them, but when she dumps him, he is devastated. He thinks he'll have to get very involved in the situation in San Marcos to win her back.I did enjoy the scene with a young Sylvester Stallone (as subway thug) interestingly enough, Woody Allen initially sent Stallone back to the casting agency after deciding he wasn't 'tough-looking' enough. Stallone pleaded with him, and eventually convinced him to change his mind". And I did like Howard Cosell's scenes at the beginning and end of the movie, but I am at a loss as to why it was called "Banannas"