Woody Allen has in many of his films made references to Ingmar Bergman. It was not until 1978's dark, haunting "Interiors" however that Woody pulled out all the stops. The film posters featured the Bergmanesque profiles of Diane Keaton and the other main players (whose names escape me). The textures were reminiscent of Bergman films such as "Cries and Whispers." Since I was sadly too young to see "Interiors" when it was released, I can only wonder if people might have been quick to call it a Bergman ripoff?
Well, I dont know what people said of the film during its release, but I do know that it is far from a ripoff. "Interiors" was at once a salute to Bergman and his art, and proof that Woody Allen was far from a one-joke man. "Interiors" is more-than-ample evidence to naysayers that Woody Allen is a filmmaker of depth and range; i.e., a serious filmmaker.
"Interiors" is to be sure a bleak film. Self-obsessed, yes. Some would say that these chilly characters inspire little or no sympathy.
This is however the very point of "Interiors." It is a story about isolation and despair; about people who dont see, or feel no desire to be a part of, an outside world. Geraldine Page, so brilliant in this film, tapes the outside world out.
Yes, it is very hard to sympathize with these chilly characters; that is the point. Woody Allen has never made it his job to paint characters who are saints. He is always critical of the characters that populate his films.
The film is also a great commentary on the society (& times) in which we live. We are a self-obsessed, destructive people. "Interiors," like "Crimes and Misdemeanors," shows us just how close we all are in this society to walking off an edge from which there can be no return.
We are also left asking ourselves the chilly, frightening question: Can we care that there is no return?
Rent this film, if you want to see Woody do something other than comedy. It's disturbing; but most Art should be.
Well, I dont know what people said of the film during its release, but I do know that it is far from a ripoff. "Interiors" was at once a salute to Bergman and his art, and proof that Woody Allen was far from a one-joke man. "Interiors" is more-than-ample evidence to naysayers that Woody Allen is a filmmaker of depth and range; i.e., a serious filmmaker.
"Interiors" is to be sure a bleak film. Self-obsessed, yes. Some would say that these chilly characters inspire little or no sympathy.
This is however the very point of "Interiors." It is a story about isolation and despair; about people who dont see, or feel no desire to be a part of, an outside world. Geraldine Page, so brilliant in this film, tapes the outside world out.
Yes, it is very hard to sympathize with these chilly characters; that is the point. Woody Allen has never made it his job to paint characters who are saints. He is always critical of the characters that populate his films.
The film is also a great commentary on the society (& times) in which we live. We are a self-obsessed, destructive people. "Interiors," like "Crimes and Misdemeanors," shows us just how close we all are in this society to walking off an edge from which there can be no return.
We are also left asking ourselves the chilly, frightening question: Can we care that there is no return?
Rent this film, if you want to see Woody do something other than comedy. It's disturbing; but most Art should be.