HotToastyRag
Woody Allen plays the title character, a manager of various small time performers. He hasn't helped them get them to Broadway yet, though, and most of his clients are pretty ridiculous. One of them asks Woody for a special favor: bring Mia Farrow, his mistress, to see his concert for good luck. But a couple of thugs show up and think Woody's her real boyfriend—and they're not happy about it! Broadway Danny Rose isn't one of the go-to Woody Allen movies most people think of, but it's actually pretty cute and funny. Woody is pretty adorable in his hapless way, trying to appease everyone at the same time and unwittingly getting into trouble. Sometimes in other movies he overplays his hand or is a little too neurotic for his own good, but in this movie, he's in his prime. Mia Farrow looks beautiful in her curly blonde updo, heavy makeup, and darling clothes; with her thick New York accent and hardened attitude, she's completely different than she is in her other movies. If you like the films of the former sweethearts, you won't want to miss Broadway Danny Rose. Watch the trailer and see if you laugh; if you do, you'll probably like the full movie.
JohnHowardReid
Although Mia Farrow is billed as Woody Allen's co-star, few fans will recognize her as she hides behind dark glasses and a convincing Bronx accent. But Woody Allen himself is as delightfully neurotic and bizarre as usual. Nick Apollo Forte (a singer making his only movie appearance to date) is just wonderful as the not very able or amiable singer riding the crest of a nostalgia wave. There are some gloriously funny throwaway lines, but for all its marvelous weirdness and wackiness, the script seems to have been only halfway thought out and too quickly committed to paper and camera. I think it would have been much funnier with more work.
Red-Barracuda
Broadway Danny Rose is one of the films from Woody Allen's early 80's period. Like others from that time, it's a less well known effort and slightly more left-of-centre. It has a framing device where a group of show business types reminisce about an unsuccessful talent agent called Danny Rose who was well known for representing any act, no matter how hopeless. The main story thread is about the time when Rose almost makes it when a lounge singer he represents starts to unexpectedly become popular; matters become very complicated when Rose is tasked with getting together with a girl mixed up with the singer, a girl whose boyfriend is a jealous Mafioso. Before long he sends out two of his heavies after them with violent intent.This is one of several Allen films that was shot is crisp black and white. It's definitely to the films advantage as it looks very nice, with some fine cinematography overall. While on the surface it's another of Woody's comedy-dramas, in reality its closer to a straight comedy on account of the screwball narrative that goes slightly over-the-top. It essentially feels like a comedy-drama, while effectively being a light comedy. In this way it isn't serious enough to work as the former and overall isn't really that funny to score as the latter – although there are some inspired comic moments such as the helium scene. I suppose its storyline is more of a tragedy, seeing as it is about a man who selflessly helps others only to end up losing himself because of this. The narrative does lack a certain drive on the whole though, and the knockabout story doesn't always amount to a lot. Allen is good enough as Rose, while his former muse Mia Farrow does fine work as well. On the whole, this is not top drawer Allen for me but, as is usually the way, it still is a film with several good things about it.
TheLittleSongbird
Maybe not top 5 Woody Allen but around or near the top 10. Broadway Danny Rose is somewhat different for him, he cuts down a little on the verbal wit, there's little deep analysing and there is nothing here that can be deemed as self-indulgent(like some Woody Allen films have been criticised to be), yet it is still characteristic of Allen's writing style and the humour is still unmistakable. Broadway Danny Rose is terrifically shot in black and white, there's a harshness but also a real beauty to the photography, and the costumes and scenery are lovely too. The music is filled with Allen's most used music genre, jazz, and it's very soulful and catchy, while Allen directs tightly but never heavy-handedly. The dialogue, even if other Woody Allen films are more insightful, is still witty and has many hilarious lines that are quotable too, but most of the humour in Broadway Danny Rose lies in the plot and characterisation which are both done brilliantly. There are many funny scenes especially the shoot out involving helium- probably the funniest scene of the entire film- and there is a light-heartedness that gives the film a real sweetness and charm that never felt forced. Not to mention that the film has a really poignant ending, more so than any other Woody Allen film apart from perhaps The Purple Rose of Cairo. Allen has never had a character more likable or sympathetic, he brings eccentricity to his performance that really sparkles but he also gives an understated touch that allows you to relate to him. An unrecognisable Mia Farrow also gives one of her best performances in any of his films, very amusing and confident. Overall, funny, sweet, touching and accessible, even non-Woody Allen fans are likely to find some value to it. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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