Wild Man Blues (1997)

Director:

Barbara Kopple

Stars:

Letty Aronson, Soon-Yi Previn, Dan Barrett

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Letty Aronson	...	Herself - Sister of Woody Allen
Soon-Yi Previn	...	Herself (as Soon Yi Previn)
Dan Barrett	...	Himself - the Trombonist
Simon Wettenhall	...	Himself - the Trumpeter (as Simon Wettenthall)
John Gill	...	Himself - the Drummer and Vocalist
Greg Cohen	...	Himself - the Bassist
Cynthia Sayer	...	Herself - the Pianist
Eddy Davis	...	Himself - the Band Director and Banjoist
Woody Allen	...	Himself - the Clarinetist
Nettie Konigsberg	...	Herself - Mother of Woody Allen
Martin Konigsberg	...	Himself - Father of Woody Allen

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

paris france | gondola | europe | turin italy | swimming pool | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line

Country:

USA

Language:

French English Italian

Release Date:

17 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blues del hombre salvaje

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

DEM 22,971 (Germany) (19 June 1998)

Gross:

DEM 22,971 (Germany) (19 June 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jean Doumanian Productions, Cabin Creek Films, Sweetland Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Woody Allen's parents, who were well into their 90s at the time of filming, appear on-screen late in the film. This marked the first time that Martin Konigsberg and Nettie Konigsberg had anything even remotely to do with their son's film career (although they were consistently satirized throughout the years).

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Quotes

Woody Allen: The Europeans like pictures that drone on, and I'm good at making pictures that drone on.

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Crazy Credits

Subtitles credit Letty Aronson and Soon-Li Previn. The band members are credited orally by Woody Allen as he introduces them to an audience. Allen himself is credited by marquees during the trip.

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Connections

References La Dolce Vita (1960)

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Soundtracks

"You Rascal You"
Words & Music by Spo-De-Odee
Used by Permission of EMI Mills Publishing, Renewed. All Rights Reserved.
International Copyright Secured.

User Reviews

Great fun with Woody, his jazz band and Soon-Yi

4 Oscars on his shelf and a great legacy as comedian and filmmaker that goes for more than five decades Woody Allen doesn't need to prove his geniality to anyone. Talented director, actor, writer and very creative, and at times surrounded by some controversial but still a genius. Barbara Kopple's documentary "Wild Man Blues" brings us a little more closer to the man who has an very enthusiastic passion for jazz, playing the clarinet with his jazz band, reason why he never attended the Academy Awards (he only went in 2002 to make a tribute to New York) or any other awards show.

Following Woody along with Soon-Yi, we have the pleasure to watch the director of classics like "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Bullets over Broadway" on a tour in Europe doing what he likes the most, playing music, showing his skills with the clarinet (and he's a good player by the way) entertaining audiences with the old New Orleans jazz (and boy, he got some really big crowds to his shows, treated like a rock star).

More than just the tour, this is an intimate portrait of Woody Allen, his life and his work, his views on music and films, his relation with Soon-Yi, and even a family breakfast with Woody's parents. There's plenty of space and time to enjoy his hobby and watch the man making jokes all the time, at times a little depressed or a little bit cranky but never being snob or arrogant as some of his written interviews tend to sound. Some shocking revelations such as the fact of Soon-Yi watched all of Woody's films except "Annie Hall"; or when Woody discussed about getting a Life Achievement Award by the DGA when Fellini never got one, he (and us) can't understand that.

Greater than all that is his jokes whatever the occasion, talking about the people he sees on the way ("They won't pay ten cents to see one of my movies, but passing in a gondola, they love it.") or talking to Soon-Yi about the concierge of the luxury hotel they stayed in. It's delightful to see when he talks about the films that failed at box-office in America but are a huge hit all over Europe ("Interiors", "Another Woman", and others). And if you pay attention to his opinions you'll see that most of them will be referred in his future films e.g. when he says about suffering of chronic dissatisfaction. He quoted that in "Vicky Cristina Barcleona". Or the way he richly describes Paris, place where he would make the film that gave his 4th Oscar this year, "Midnight in Paris". It's all there!

Entertainment and reality at its best, "Wild Man Blues" allows us to know a little better about the creator of cinematic masterpieces, presenting the man in a different way than we're used to see (ok, he's less neurotic than the characters he play). Have fun! 10/10