Bananas

`Bananas' is cowriter / director Woody Allen's second film (after `Take the Money and Run') in which he writes, directs, and acts. It has all the trademarks of his classic comedies such as visual gags, guest interviews (including Howard Cosell and other leading announcers for ABC's `Wide World of Sports'), one liners, obscure references to other movies, long lists of surprising cameos, and inept sexual encounters.In fact, one small thrill from this movie is to see Sylvester Stallone in a minor, nonspeaking role.I have not seen `Bananas' for years before just now getting the DVD and I'm pleasantly reminded of how many Allen scenes I remember from this movie, with no recollection that the scene came from `Bananas'. My favorite, which I always thought was from `Take the Money and Run' is when he directs a parking car so that it rams into the car behind it. This seems like an almost trivial piece of business until you match it up with Allen's character, which is simply not necessarily a nice person. Through so many movies, including some of the very best such as `Manhattan' and `Stardust Memories', Allen's character is neither stupid, sexually inept, intellectual, or particularly admirable. But then, Hamlet and Macbeth were not the most sterling of characters, yet their personalities were a great basis for drama.The liner notes to this DVD claim that there is a significant influence from the Marx brothers on this movie, but aside from the fact that the Marx brothers probably influenced every American comedian working since 1935, I really don't see a big connection to `Bananas'. Even the hypothesis that the movie was titled in homage to the Marx brothers `Coconuts' I think is a bit of a stretch. The other thing they cite is the appearance of a harp player in main character Fielding Mellish's hotel rooms closet. But then, there is an even more obvious quote from the famous marble steps scene in the famous Russian film `Battleship Potemkin', but I don't see the liner notes claiming a kinship with the works of Sergei Eisenstein.On the other hand, just as I suspected scenes in `Play It Again, Sam' being quoted in `Animal House', I sense a borrowing of one or more scenes from `Bananas' by the filmmakers who did `Network'. I have a really strong sense that either `Network' was quoting Allen or vice versa.Unlike almost all of Allen's films starting with `Annie Hall', this and other early Allen films have virtually no socially redeeming value except for the fact that they are very, very funny and they enable us to see the funny side, if that is at all possible, of things like the `Bay of Pigs' invasion and our various incursions into Haiti and the Dominican Republic. So, If I had to choose to be locked up with but one Woody Allen movie, it would definitely be `Annie Hall' or later. I simply cannot see the virtue of the attitude parodied in `Stardust Memories' of preferring the earlier, `funny' movies. I may not be especially keen on `Interiors' or `September', but I do prefer the later comedies such as `Shadows and Fog', `Curse of the Jade Scorpion', and `Mighty Aphrodite' than the earlier ones with virtually no meaningful plot.That does not mean they are not very funny movies. On average, I think they are at least as funny as most of Mel Brooks movies (except for `Blazing Saddles' and `The Producers') and I think they succeed with more laughs per reel by resorting to fewer improbabilities and downright silliness than does friend Brooks.In fact, in the liner notes, Allen is quoted as saying that `Bananas' is a movie where his only concern was to be funny. There may be one behind the scenes parallel with the Marx brothers in that lots of both Marx brothers movies and Allen movies borrow from their stage routines. Another parallel is that both Allen and the Marxes were incredibly physical, so there may be just a little more Groucho here than I was originally inclined to admit.If all you want is comedy, or you are a died in the wool Woodman fan, this is a movie for you! If you like `Annie Hall' but are cool in `Take the Money and Run', you may want to pass on this movie.

One of my favorite Woody films. Highly recommended.

I first saw "Bananas" in the theater sometime after it was first released in 1971. I was 19 at the time. I also saw it back in the '80's on Cinemax,( a pay channel from HBO,) and a few years back on HBO. Well, I'm 64 now and I got it on DVD and it wouldn't play on my Samsung High Definition Blu-Ray player. I'm really sorry I didn't read the warning on the home page. Anyway,Woody Allen directed and co-wrote along with Mickey Rose, an old friend from high school. Allen was Best Man at his wedding. Rose also co-wrote his first two flicks, "What's Up Tiger Lilly ?" from 1966 and "Take the Money and Run" from 1969. This would be the last film they would work on together.Allen plays "Fielding Mellish"," a products tester". His first wife Louise Lasser plays his new girlfriend Nancy. Features a cameo from the late,great Howard Cosell. A then unknown Sylvester Stallone appears as mugger on the Subway.He wasn't mentioned in the credits. When asked in an interview some years back why he he called the movie "bananas" ? His reply '"Because there are no bananas in it. Like that novelty song from the 1920's "Yes We Have No Bananas." Some of the highlights: Woody Allen asks his girlfriend why she's breaking up with him. Her reply. "Because you're immature." He asks, " How am I'm immature ?" She replies, "Emotionally,physically,intellectually and spiritually." And he asks, "Well what other ways ?" And the courtroom scene is a highlight. The take off a cigarette commercial is another highlight. And after a coup and they overthrow a dictatorship in the Central American country of "San Marcos",they asks one of them how he pleads? His reply "I plead guilty with an explanation." The title is a take off on that slang word for crazy that was popular in the '70's and much of the film takes place in "the banana republic." After so many revolutions that have happened down there over the years. This movie has become more popular since.

I've seen this movie when it was released decades ago. It's Woody Allen's best movie. His second best movie was "Sleeper." After that one was "Take the Money and Run." I stopped watching his movies after this one because they weren't funny anymore. Back to Bananas. There are some classic, hilarious scenes in this one. Like the Subway scene where some thugs get on the subway car that Allen is riding and start harassing the passengers. Allen shove them off the bus and the doors close on them, then opens up and they get back on. The main thug is easily recognizable as Sylvester Stallone in one of his earliest movie roles.The movie is about Fielding Mellisch (Allen),a neurotic man who doesn't know what he wants to do with his life and he meets and falls for Louise Lasser's liberal, anti establishment character that wants to go to a South American country to protest for a revolution that's taking place there. They break up and Allen goes to the country by himself and ends up joining the revolution by accident and then becoming their president. The scenes in the South American country (actually Puerto Rico) are the best in the movie.This movie was sup[posed to be released on Bluray, but, all that was released on Bluray was a Region B (UK) disc, this one, so I ordered and received it. Fortunately I have a player that is region free. The movie played well on my player and was shipped expeditiously by the seller. I'm not a fan of Woody Allen's later movies (everything after Sleeper and Take the Money and Run) because they just lacked the slapstick humor of his earlier films. This one is his best work.

The DVD is fine and language/subtitle options are as advertised. If you like the film itself is very much a matter of taste. It is from 1971 and feels rather dated. Some of the jokes are in rather bad taste, most of the film is not compatible with the current obsession with political correctness. But as such it should appeal to those questioning this trend. This is a bit of satire and broad comedy and it's fun entertainment if you are looking for no more than that. Probably best enjoyed if you've already started on the drinks.

Quality of disc good. Arrived as stated. Just not impressed with the comedic aspect.

All Woody Allen is great. This is one of his earlier films - low budget but still a good laugh!

Could not believe this film had passed me by - Alan at his wittiest and absolute best. Well worth a watch

Not one of his very best, but from his early funny period, good fun.