EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU A CLASSIC
Look, I don't know why this movie was criticised so much in the press. This is one of my favourite films because it is surprisingly a very feel good movie, without any of the harshness or bitterness of Woody Allen's later movie, Deconstructing Harry. The dialogue is amazingly sharp, and some of the plot lines have been adapted or copied in at least two subsequent movies. Allen may not be popular with movie goers, but his influence in comedy is so overwhelming that he would have to be alongside Spielberg and Scorsese, America's best. And as far as influence goes, I'm sure Allen is no 1 in comedy. To think that he wrote something like this in a couple of months is amazing. The complexity of plot, interwoven in under two hours would sustain two or even three lesser movies. However, Allen packs it all in, the interlocking almost seemless. Added to this, is a bonus - musical numbers adapted from classic songs from the 30s and 40s and sung by the stars. Drew Barrimore is the only one who doesn't sing her part (although her personality alone makes up for that), and that is the first thing that makes ESILY interesting - the singers aren't professional and this makes their burst into song comical (especially woody allen - although he quickly improved in the hilariously clever song in Antz). Not only that, but the dancing is staged to be purposefully flawed. So when Ed Norton is at the Jewellerey shop, he almost trips over. The dialogue in this film is brilliant and typically warped (especially the thing that happens with Allen and Julia Roberts). The scenes between the liberal democrat father and his right wing republican son are so well staged and had me laughing. For once, some sort of intellectualism in the written script. Goldie Hawn is also very good at this. Her scene where she advocates interior decoration for criminals is classic Allen and very well pulled off. The man who plays Allen's father, from MASH, is also a standout. He fits the role perfectly and his reaction to his daughter's marriage plans is very funny. I mean, Allen is so good, it's often just five seconds of dialogue that is outstanding. Other film makers would've milked that into minutes, but in this film, there's so much material, it doesn't matter. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think if anyone sits down and is clear in the head and willing to concentrate for a while, Everyone Says I Love You offers an intellectual and highly comical film, worthy to be placed among his best work.
92/100