the_mad_mckenna (24 May 2013)

Should have been called "the Hindenburg" - its a disaster.

Where do you begin with a Thanksgiving main course like this? Woody's takeon "Celebrity", which seems to be his attamept to play catch-up to "ThePlayer" is the biggest bomb since Nagasaki. Bad enough that you have Branaghtrying to PLAY Woody in the film, but none of it is convincing. Stars DO NOTjump into bed with 40-something nebbishy acting freelance (freelance!)entertainment reporters. Woody says almost nothing about celebrity hereexcept for his own ego and narcissism. Pass it by.

JCBar (23 May 2013)

Almost done with Woody

What a waste of Kenneth Branagh - although he did a dead onimpersonation of Woody Allen, I'm not sure we needed another one. Foran actor I admire, he certainly wore out his welcome after the first 30minutes.Moreover, the film is rife with situations that just do not seem real.The scene with Charlize Theron was unbelievable - sure, a jaded NewYorker like Lee would certainly drive off the road because of somesexual comment; and of course a writer who had already written twonovels would only have one copy of his third; and of course a womengetting ready to be married would see a hooker about the fine points offellatio (an absolutely abysmal scene with Bebe Neuwirth); and ofcourse and of course and....the movie is full of those moments. This isa below standard Woody Allen film with none of the charm of some of hisbest. He goes to the well often enough with his films in terms of styleand content, but this time he certainly brought a teacup.

Dwight J. Browne (23 May 2013)

Good comedy. A neurotic "La Dolce Vita."

It seems that the better Allen films don't have Woody Allen in them."Alice"is a perfect example and so is "Celebrity" I just wish I could stopfeelingI've seen this film before. "La Dolce Vita" kept coming to mind but themoral quandary element was not explored.

don_corleone1385 (22 May 2013)

I don't get why critics hate this film

I saw this movie a few days ago,and I loved it like any other WoodyAllen movie.And I don't get why so many people hate this movie and alsocritics.some say this film s too explicit and etc.I think the story andthe dialoges were great.One of the best things in this film was theCinematography which was fascinating.And the actings imo are at thetop.Especially,Judy Davis,Winona Ryder and Joe Mantegna did excellentperformances and deserved nominations,and about Kenneth Branagh,manysay is terrible in this because of doing a Woody Allen impression,but Ican't agree with that.I think he showed his versatility and did a verysharp performance. Afteral,I think this movie didn't get enough creditas it deserved and is a very very underrated and btw misunderstoodfilm.

Henry Fields (19 May 2013)

Branagh is not Woody

One of the most brilliant Woody Allen's 90s' pictures, such a mockeryof the "beautiful people" with some traces of a romantic comedy andsome reflexions about couple troubles made in Woody. But there's anobjection and that's Kenneth Brannagh. He's a great actor (no doubtabout it) but in "Celebrity" you can't help thinking that he'simitating the character that Woody should've played. It's quite clearthat Woody wrote this for himself, but he was too old to play a manthat conquers Winona Ryder or Famke Janssen.Last but not least, what about Judy Davis?? God, she's magnificent, oneof the best actresses ever, and that scene with the prostitute istotally hilarious. Woody should've married her instead of Mia 30 yearsago!! So, if Woody would've played the role that eventually played Brannaghthis could've been one of his best works. But Brannagh is not Woody,and that's noticeable.*My rate: 7/10

mdom (19 May 2013)

He does it again!!!

Woody Allen's imagination is endless. Once again he manages to captivatewith this very smart and subtle tale of interrelated stories whiledelivering a very strong punch of social critique.If you are an Allen's fan you will like it, if not... don't bother. This isonly a movie for the initiated.

dhahn (17 May 2013)

It simply works...

I left the cinema happy, with a big grin on my face.I don't know many Woody Allen films, so I'm not into the usual comparisons,but the man is certainly still a master of his art.The film simply works: It's sharp, witty, funny, and never boring. (And evenLeo DiCaprio managed to pull something off... you have to imaginethat)

NJMoon (17 May 2013)

Fifteen Minutes Too Many

Like "The Purple Rose of Cairo", "Celebrity" leaves it's central charactersitting forlornly in a movie theatre, thinking what might have been. Unlikethat fine film, however, this is a pretentious and shallow mess that neverconvinces and is rarely funny. Allen's over-lapping ad-lib dialogue styleruns rampant here with little scripted text. It's just as well because thescripted lines sound hack written ("Who knew that angels flew so low?"). Branagh (standing in for Allen and almost imitating his put-upon demeanorand stumble-bum delivery at times) and co-star Judy Davis are both affectingAmerican accents - fake number one. Other stars rush in and out of thepicture like they've got plans elsewhere. After the first ten minutes, theaudience will feel likewise. Phoney plot contrivances (writer with only onecopy of a novel; bride runs from her own wedding) only make matters worse. Final skywriting scene says it all - "HELP"!

Chuck Rudolph (16 May 2013)

Nothing that hasn't been said a million times before.

Jeffrey M. Anderson (15 May 2013)

The movie is filmed in black-and-white, but it's a far cry from his love poems Manhattan and Broadway Danny Rose. Celebrity is smaller, more cramped.

Philip Van der Veken (13 May 2013)

It deserves better

Normally Woody Allen movies get a very high rating on this website -even though they aren't always the easiest to watch - and when I sawthat this movie only got a 6.2/10, I was a bit reluctant to give it atry. I'm not too familiar with the man's work yet, but what I've seenso far was OK. Now that I've seen it, I'm puzzled about the fact whythis movie doesn't score any better, because in my opinion it reallywasn't that bad. One thing that worked well for instance was the story.Lee Simon hasn't got a successful career. He has always been ajournalist, but what he really wants is to become a famous writer. Hehas already published two novels - both were sabred down by the press -and has finished a movie script. After divorcing his wife Robin, hetries to meet as many rich people and celebrities, models,... as hecan, but he isn't all that successful in that either. In the meantimehis ex-wife meets a very desirable TV-producer and takes her firststeps in the world of celebrities, a world which she has alwaysdespised...Even though this is a Woody Allen movie and this story is clearly basedon his own life, you'll not see him in it. That's OK with me, butsomehow it also felt a bit strange. Why would a man like Allen writesuch a movie and than not perform in it like he always does? I reallydon't know, but I'm sure that he had his reasons for it. But don't letthat be a reason not to watch this movie. Kenneth Branagh is at leastas good in the role. His performance was really good, although I mustsay that he wasn't the biggest surprise in this movie. Personally I wasmore surprised by Charlize Theron who played the role of a supermodeland did a great job with that role. Of course all other actors weremore than just OK as well, but what else can you expect from peoplelike Melanie Griffith, Winona Ryder... What I also liked in this movie was the typical humor and the sometimesbiting criticism on Allen's own world. Take for instance the part inwhich he lets one of his characters say: "He's terribly pretentious. Heis one of those assholes who film in black and white", while this movietoo has been shot in that way. Another great moment is when he makesfun of movie critics, but there are so many good jokes and laughsincluded in this movie that it is impossible to name them all. I guessthat if you can't stand Allen's kind of humor, you better don't evenwatch this movie, because it's full of it, but when you like it, youshouldn't hesitate to give it a try, because there are some fineexamples of it to be found in this movie.All in all this movie deserves a lot better than the actual rating of6.2/10. The acting is nice, the story has been well written and is fullof excellent jokes and biting criticism. I really liked what I saw andI believe that this movie deserves at least a rating in between 7/10and 7.5/10.

Kevin J. Keefe (13 May 2013)

Smart, funny, Woody

This is a smart, funny, Woody Allen movie. It is somewhat annoying thatWoody keeps writing about the same themes, but he still makes uniquelyinteresting movies. I laughed out loud a number of times, and that's alwaysworth $7.50. It also made me think, about creativity, relationships, andfame. That's gotta be worth another $.25. Much has been made aboutBranaugh's imitation of Woody; how come nobody complained when they gaveMichael Caine an Oscar for the same ticks and stammers in "Hanna and HerSisters"? (For that matter, check out Mia and Diane Keaton in any number ofhis movies. His dialog and direction force many of his actors to sound likehim.) I was intigued by the relationship Branaugh had with the book editorwho believed in his writing, then destroyed his draft novel when he dumpedher.This is not one of those Woody movies, like "Hanna" and "Bullets OverBroadway" that will cross over to a wider audience. But to his loyal fans,it is a keeper. (Now "Shadows and Fog"...that stunk!)

pooch-8 (07 May 2013)

Decent Allen film not his best, but still worth a look

Judged against other movies, Celebrity rates higher than it does when judgedagainst Woody Allen movies. In other words, the director's consistent paceand huge body of work virtually begs for critics to keep ranking each ofAllen's films against past efforts and so on. Celebrity is not as good asDeconstructing Harry or Everyone Says I Love You (to cite just two ofAllen's recent pictures), but it still bears the hallmarks of Allen'ssuccess: great ensemble work, witty and intelligent writing, amusingset-pieces, and excellent photography. Kenneth Branagh fills in as theWoody character, and channels Allen's vocal tics and mannerisms to the pointof perfection or distraction, depending on one's point of view. Judy Davis,a welcome sight in any movie, captures Branagh's ex-wife perfectly. Theremainder of the cast aids in Allen's dissection of modern media celebrity,and does what it can with this good, but not great, material.

navin j. (07 May 2013)

seen it all before

Woody's early comedies rank up there with the classics. Some of his laterefforts were spellbinding (Crimes & Misdemeanors) and at times hilarious(Bullets Over Broadway and Everyone Says I Love You). However, his latesttome is a sad, pathetic and thoughtless film.Over the last 15 years of his career, Woody has introduced us to theflawedworld of the affluent and neurotic New York upperclass. However, the morewe are reintroduced to these people the less we can relate to them. Thesecharacters were fascinating in early Allen drama/comedies; however, nowtheyhave become so fake and predictable that frankly they just aren'tinteresting anymore (therapists, pills, infidelity, neuroses, blah blahblah). The hollowness of their dialogue and their formulaic interactionhasbecome annoying. It's time for a departure, Woody. Where is the ambitionto take a risk (remember Zelig and Purple Rose of Cairo)?Branagh as the Woody clone seems so uncomfortable in his skin that hebecomes hard to watch. Judy Davis is so manic and breathy that she crawlson you. Joe Mantegna does his best. Winona is a non-factor. BebeNeuwirthis wasted on a lame scene. Famke Jansen is very good. But the scenestealer is Leo - he is amazing.I know the first rule of writing is write what you know but that shouldn'tapply to someone as prolific as Woody Allen. It's time to take risks andexplore another world. This one is tired.HELP

Torrance-4 (30 April 2013)

The Mystery of Celebrity

The director is the CELEBRITY, and everyone wants to be in his movies!Howelse do you explain:a) Kenneth Branagh being reduced to doing an impression of a neurotic NewYorker with a thing for women much younger than himself.b) Melanie Griffith using her head with the director'simpersonator.c) Charlize Theron being polymorphously perverse.d) Judy Davis and Bebe Neuwirth fellating bananas together.e) Leonardo DiCaprio sharing his bed and two women with the director'simpersonator.f) Winona Ryder (looking gorgeous) in a scene where she kisses anotherwoman.g) Winona Ryder in a relationship with the director'simpersonator.How many director's fantasies can fit into one movie?All in all, as a true fan of the Woodman's work, it did make me laugh.Highly recommended to all the Woody lovers out there who have made him theCELEBRITY that he is.

Jack Gattanella (30 April 2013)

Funny, but not too great

Woody Allen's Celebrity would've been better, but instead of Allen playingthe lead (as he usually does) he gives his role he should've played toKenneth Branaugh. This wouldn't be too bad, but Branaugh's character actstoo much like Allen would. He plays a journalist who is in love troublesand is mixed up with a supermodel, actress and others while in a marriage. Not all of this film is funny though, most of it seems like a lash-out fromAllen after all the bad tabloids about him. Still, there is a lot to laughabout here, including a OK performance from Leonardo DiCaprio and some greatblack and white cinematography from cinematography by Sven Nykvyst. A-

Sean Gallagher (28 April 2013)

Allen once again spinning his wheels

I've been a huge Woody Allen fan since I was a kid, so it hurts me to saythis, but I think after DECONSTRUCTING HARRY and this, Allen might bespinning his wheels creatively. The former at least had the virtue of beingfunny, but while some of this is funny, it's not enough to mask a somewhatshallow and half-hearted enterprise. This also reminded me of Altman'sREADY TO WEAR; another satire that, considering who it was coming from, leftme wanting, but again, at least that one was funny.Kenneth Branagh is a great actor, but it took me awhile to warm up to hisdoing a Woody impression. Judy Davis, Joe Mantegna, and Winona Ryder arealways watchable, and they're good here. But the surprise was LeonardoDiCaprio. His sequence is the only really laugh-out-loud funny moment ofthe movie, and it's nice to see at this stage of his career that he canlaugh at himself.

Robert D. Ruplenas (27 April 2013)

good effort from the Woodster

I enjoyed this film a lot more than I expected from what I had heard aboutit. Woody Allen is a very insightful and acerbic social critic when he wantsto be, and his intelligently witty sendups of the pretensions and vapidityof the trendy, cutting edge social set are always dead-on, and this movie isa fine vehicle for them. There many, many very funny moments and situations,and the characters are an amusing bunch, portrayed by an excellent cast. Anunderrated movie well worth seeing.

John Syers (27 April 2013)

not bad, but Branagh's Allen is painful

I enjoyed Celebrity. It would be hard to go wrong with such a strongensemble (although we all know it does happen). I've yet to bedisappointedby the often-overlooked Bebe Neuwirth. But Kenneth Branagh doing WoodyAllen in the film was terribly grating by the end. It was a greatimpression, and I can usually stand Woody, but two Woody Allens is toomuch.

Michael Dequina (26 April 2013)

What exactly do we learn about our society? That it is one where just about every celebrity is willing to appear in a Woody Allen film.