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Scott Ventura >> Movie Commentary >> May 1999 >> Broadway Danny Rose

Broadway Danny Rose

Movie Commentary by Scott Ventura

Details

Scott's Rating:
3 / 5
Times Seen:
1
Viewing Date:
May 1999
IMDB Name:
Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
Director:
Woody Allen
Keywords:
comedy
Made:
1984
MPAA Rating:
PG

Light

Broadway Danny Rose is a light comedy. The characters tread a fine line between being cartoons and being real. In some sense they manage to live up to many stereotypes without being the worst of their stereotypes. Maybe I have no idea what I'm saying.

I would like to make special mention of Nick Apollo Forte, who portrayed Lou Canova. He doesn't seem to have been involved in any other movies, but his performance here is quite good. Maybe he's not reaching far for his character, but it's a very natural one for him. His singing isn't awful, either.

Dark

I was immediately surprised that the movie was in black and white. Since the main body of the movie is a story being retold in a diner, the nostalgic feeling, even though the time period isn't far enough back to demand nostalgia, is the right one. Interestingly, the lighting is awful for most of the movie. I constantly found myself wishing for fewer shadows on the actors' faces, and I consistently wanted Mia Farrow to take off her sunglasses so I could see her eyes.

Mikey Liked It

In the commentary audio track on the Austin Powers DVD, director Jay Roach mentions a scene from Broadway Danny Rose as the inspiration for one of the funnier gags in the steamroller scene. I've now seen both, and I just don't get it. The visual I'd cooked up in my head is much better than the reality.




Copyright 1999-2001 by Scott Ventura. All rights reserved.