Reconstructing Woody : Art, Love, and Life in the Films of Woody Allen

For too long, the films of Woody Allen have been interpreted as expressions of deconstructionism, nihilism, and postmodern angst. In this pathbreaking new book, distinguished writer Mary P. Nichols challenges these assumptions by arguing that Allen's entire body of work, from Play It Again, Sam to Mighty Aphrodite, is actually an attempt to explore and reconcile the tension between art and life. As witty and complex as its subject, Reconstructing Woody shows why Allen, despite his recent personal turmoil, is immensely concerned with human ethics, goodness, and virtue. Ardent fans and strident detractors will view Woody Allen's films from an entirely new perspective.

for Too Long, The Films Of Woody Allen Have Been Interpreted As Expressions Of Deconstructionism, Nihilism, And Postmodern Angst. In This Pathbreaking New Book, Mary P. Nichols Challenges This, Arguing That Allen's Work, From Play It Again, Sam To Deconstructing Harry, Is Actually An Attempt To Explore And Reconcile The Tension Between Art And Life. As Witty And Complex As Its Subject, Reconstructing Woody Shows That Allen Is Immensely Concerned With Human Ethics, Goodness, And Virtue.

p. H. Stacy

since Many Books Have Been Written About Allen, Any New Study Must Be Mighty Different And Mighty Good. In Looking At Interiors, Nichols (political Science, Fordham Univ.) Shows Two Modes Of Attention. Eve Has Arranged Five Vases On The Mantel, Just As She Orders Her And Arthur's Lives And Those Of Their Three Daughters. Perfect. Agree Or Disagree, This Wonderful Observation Forces Attention To Visual Details. Interiors Applies Rousseau's Criticism Of Modern Life To Flyn. Also Perfect. Any Work Teaching The Value Of Sharp Attention To Both Visual And Aural Details Is Valuable. Nichols Joins Sander Lee (woody Allen's Angst, Ch, Apr' 97), Richard Blake (woody Allen: Profane And Sacred, 1995), And Foster Hirsh (love, Sex, Death And The Meaning Of Life In The Films Of Woody Allen, Rev. And Updated, 1990) As The Best Of Allen's Interpreters. All Film Collections Should Include This Title.

Distinguished writer Mary P. Nichols challenges numerous widely held assumptions about Allen's art and provides a radically new interpretation of America's most recognized filmmaker. From Play it Again, Sam to Deconstructing Harry, Nichols shows how Allen's films, like the writings of the world's greatest philosophers, are fundamentally concerned with human morality and our efforts to achieve goodness, beauty, and truth. Reconstructing Woody persuasively argues that Allen's entire body of work illuminates the path to virtue by exploring and reconciling the tension between art and life. Whether you're an ardent fan or a vehement detractor of Woody Allen, after reading this book you will never look at his films the same way again. Acknowledgements Preface The Interpreter and the Artist The Hero and the Klutz (Play It Again, Sam) The Anhedonist and the Singer (Annie Hall) The Interior Decorator and the Vulgerian (Interiors) The Director and the Fan (Stardust Memories) The Empiricist and the Image-Maker (A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy) The Changing Man and the Psychiatrist (Zelig) The Actor and the Character (The Purple Rose of Cairo) The Eavesdropper and the Patient (Another Woman) The Ophthamologist and the Filmmaker (Crimes and Misdemeanors) The Detectives (Manhattan Murder Mystery) The Sportswriter and the Whore (Mighty Aphrodite) The Comic Notes Bibliography Takes a fresh look at this prolific filmmaker's body of work and attempts to show that even at his worst, Woody Allen is ultimately concerned with human ethics, goodness, and virtue. IP.