Broadway Danny Rose (1984)

Combing through Woody Allen's filmography back-to-back has revealed many gems to me that I was not expecting. The best of this undiscovered gems so far is Broadway Danny Rose. Whether it be in person or on the internet, I haven't run across too many people who cite Broadway Danny Rose as a favorite Woody Allen film, yet here I am three days after watching it for the first time and I can't get it out of my head. There is so much to like about Broadway Danny Rose that I am mesmerized I haven't heard more about it. The 1984 film written/directed by and starring Woody Allen follows Allen as a Broadway talent agent hopelessly trying to keep his best client. In what turns into a cat-and-mouse game of mistaken identity, Broadway Danny Rose is a hilarious take on philosophical ideas and one that may be among the director's best work. At the Carnegie Deli, one afternoon a table of comics are reminiscing about their professional lives. The conversation turns to someone they all know, Danny Rose (Woody Allen) and an incident involving him that took place 10 years prior. Danny is a talent agent who represents the clients that are unable to get better representation. His clients always leave him once they develop their acts, despite his desperate attempts to continue representing them. One such client, Lou Canova (Nick Apollo Forte) is loyal to Danny Rose until his girlfriend Tina Vitale (Mia Farrow) convinces him he can find someone better. On the night before a big performance, Tina suddenly is reluctant to go to the show, finding a conscience about dating a married man. Lou, however, is refusing to go on until Tina is there which means Danny Rose must go find her and bring her back to the venue so Lou can perform his routine. When Danny finds Tina, he also discovers that she has ties to the mafia through her ex- husband who is still involved. He is infuriated when he sees Tina with Danny Rose, who he assumes is her boyfriend. What started out as a simple pick-up and drop-off turns into Danny trying to outrun the mob and save his life. Broadway Danny Rose may sound like a silly film about mistaken identity and the mafia, but in reality, it is actually a stunning portrait of loyalty and suffering told through humor. Danny gives his all to his clients and is constantly abandoned despite his efforts. No amount of loyalty can keep anyone with him creating a lonely life for Danny. Woody Allen delivers a wonderful line in the film in which he says: "You know what my philosophy of life is? That it's important to have some laughs, but you gotta suffer a little too, because otherwise, you miss the whole point to life." This quote speaks to the way in which Woody Allen addressed his artistic trials with the meaning of life in Broadway Danny Rose, a trial which presents itself in every film I've seen of his so far, in one way or another. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I enjoy the consistent theme of Woody Allen's films; it's a testament to Woody as an artist that he grapples with such real issues, issues that he the man faces every day, through his work. The opening of Broadway Danny Rose was perfect--the comics reminiscing and talking in the deli about the same person then seeing their story played out on screen was exceptionally well done. I expect brilliant openings from Woody Allen films at this point, and Broadway Danny Rose is among my favorite openings of Allen's films. I haven't mentioned it yet, but I am greatly enjoying the use of Black and White in Allen's films. Especially in Broadway Danny Rose, the black and white photography adds to the realization that we are witnessing a memory, while also adding brilliant character to such a hapless guy that the audience can't help but love. The entire film is beautifully shot and perfectly scored culminating in one of the most beautiful endings I have ever seen in cinema. There isn't an aspect about Broadway Danny Rose that doesn't work and I'm still trying to figure out why this isn't more often regarded as one of Woody Allen's best works.

Maybe not top 5 Woody Allen but around or near the top 10. Broadway Danny Rose is somewhat different for him, he cuts down a little on the verbal wit, there's little deep analysing and there is nothing here that can be deemed as self-indulgent(like some Woody Allen films have been criticised to be), yet it is still characteristic of Allen's writing style and the humour is still unmistakable. Broadway Danny Rose is terrifically shot in black and white, there's a harshness but also a real beauty to the photography, and the costumes and scenery are lovely too. The music is filled with Allen's most used music genre, jazz, and it's very soulful and catchy, while Allen directs tightly but never heavy-handedly. The dialogue, even if other Woody Allen films are more insightful, is still witty and has many hilarious lines that are quotable too, but most of the humour in Broadway Danny Rose lies in the plot and characterisation which are both done brilliantly. There are many funny scenes especially the shoot out involving helium- probably the funniest scene of the entire film- and there is a light-heartedness that gives the film a real sweetness and charm that never felt forced. Not to mention that the film has a really poignant ending, more so than any other Woody Allen film apart from perhaps The Purple Rose of Cairo. Allen has never had a character more likable or sympathetic, he brings eccentricity to his performance that really sparkles but he also gives an understated touch that allows you to relate to him. An unrecognisable Mia Farrow also gives one of her best performances in any of his films, very amusing and confident. Overall, funny, sweet, touching and accessible, even non-Woody Allen fans are likely to find some value to it. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Woody Allen aka Mr.Cinema, as I lovingly call him, brings us a yet another Masterstroke with his 1984 classic 'Broadway Danny Rose'. A hilarious, memorable film, that works from start to end! 'Broadway Danny Rose' Synopsis: In his attempts to reconcile a lounge singer with his mistress, a hapless talent agent is mistaken as her lover by a jealous gangster.'Broadway Danny Rose' is laugh-out-loud funny. Its a roller-coaster ride, where each character, have a certain absurdity & craziness associated with themselves. Mr.Cinema's Screenplay depicts a loser's story with a winning spirit. His Direction, on the other-hand, is as perfect as it can get. Cinematography is vast. Editing is nicely done. Performance-Wise: Mr. Cinema is simply brilliant as Danny Rose. He's insanely funny throughout. Mia Farrow is top-notch. Nick Apollo Forte does his bit well. On the whole, 'Broadway Danny Rose' is a comedic jewel.

ironic, cruel, smart, this film is product of a great old recipes. same Woody Allen and same charming picture of a world, same Don Quijotian character and crumbs of Christianity , Thekov and slices of ordinary crisis. a must see for Allen admirers, it is a nice lesson about dedication, dreams and loyalty, sad tale about a small man in womb of a huge world. humor, neurotic pieces and a pretty work. sure,only an ordinary Allen, it is not great movie, but in this art case important is final taste. that mixture of ash, rose flavor and images from a way to be yourself and transform the others. and, more important, like many others Allen movies, this is an exercise to preserve the soul of a time. and eighteens are more beautiful in the sketches of this great original director .