Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Celia A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

FilmOtaku "Wild Man Blues", Barbara Kopple's 1997 documentary about Woody Allen's tour of Europe with his New Orleans jazz band is both rare and interesting on some levels. It was also disheartening on others. Allen, a fairly prolific clarinetist, travels the major cities in Europe with his band, a tour that is an extension of their regular Monday night gigs at "Michael's", a jazz club in New York. Presumably, this is his first tour, and Woody is his regular angsty self, fretting over whether people are there for the music or to see him. While the musicians really stand up in terms of quality, Allen included, it is pretty clear that the majority of the concert attendees are there for Allen the Icon, whose films are immensely more popular overseas than they are here.The film is not outstanding in terms of production, but more importantly, the camera acts as a fly on the wall perspective on someone who is not particularly comfortable in the public eye. His amazement at the scores of people who attend his concerts, wait for him at the concert hall and outside his hotel is almost comical, and the paparazzi are insatiable, particularly since the film was made a short time after the whole Mia-Woody-Soon-Yi scandal. The scene I found most intriguing of all actually occurs during the last ten minutes of the film, and that is when he returns home after the tour and goes to visit his parents with Soon-Yi and his sister, who accompanied him on the tour. The fact that his parents still feel that he would have been better off as a pharmacist, and that his "acting thing" isn't all that great, yet get defensive when he seems to take sole credit for his creativity was very interesting.When the Woody Allen "scandal" broke during the 1990's, I was one of his most ardent supporters, an opinion that was extremely popular, regardless of any reasoning. Throughout it all, I couldn't help but wonder what he saw in this woman, but I never questioned his morals in choosing her to be his companion. I just assumed that, being as intelligent as he is, she must be his intellectual and spiritual match. Unfortunately, that image was shattered for me with this film, because she came across not only as completely vapid, but ignorant and not personable at all. She was obviously acting for the camera, and really ended up being a hindrance to the film, in my opinion.As a documentary, however, Kopple provides us with a good piece of film-making, though it is certainly a niche piece; only fans of Allen or those curious about him will make it through the film, much less appreciate it. 6/10 --Shelly

drosse67 I would not recommend this to even die-hard fans...unless you love jazz. There is a lot of jazz, some nice footage of Woody playing. But don't expect him to discuss his films. And then you have the glimpses into his personal life, with Soon Yi. More than I really cared to know. There are a few comments he makes that solidify his reputation as being reclusive, and not a particularly nice person. I thought of Kathleen Turner's infamous (and possibly career-killing) quote: "Fans, who needs these people?" Watching this movie is like eavesdropping--I can understand why this is not on DVD. Unlike Madonna, this documentary is not meant to boost sales or exposure. He has some big fans overseas (more overseas than in the States, it would seem). So this movie plays to them, and to jazz fans perhaps. But not to anyone else. And this is coming from a real fan of his work. You can skip this.

jaykay-10 Offered as a candid, behind-the-scenes look at Woody Allen away from the sound stage, this "documentary" is about as real as one might expect with a camera following the principals everywhere (well, almost everywhere). Woody, in particular, seems inhibited by the camera's presence; there are no "private moments" - at least not after the footage was edited - and no hint of frustration, boredom, fatigue, or any other negatives that would inevitably arise during a tour that involved constant travel. Picture the full scene of the small talk between Soon-Yi and Woody in the gondola - i.e., not just the two of them and the discreet gondolier, but the cameraperson and soundperson a few feet away, filming and recording these supposedly spontaneous, uninhibited comments.A more rounded (that is to say, less selective) portrayal of Woody obviously would not have been altogether flattering. The finished product raises the question of what Woody & Co.'s purpose was in producing this film. Anyone who views it expecting a "show" with angst, gags and the rest of the Woody Allen package will be as disappointed as were members of the audience at the jazz concerts who expected something more than just clarinet playing.

julianb If it had been trimmed to about an hour (by removing some of the jazz) this film would have been very enjoyable. As it was, the natural, but dry, social humour of Woody Allen is annoyingly punctuated by long excerpts from indifferent performances. The best bit comes right at the end, back in New York after the gruelling whistle-stop tour of Europe, where there is some tickling repartee and friendly needling between him and his folks (who look about a billion years old). Only for die-hard Allen fans, who need a peek at the "real" person behind those heavy specs.