SnoopyStyle
Boris Grushenko (Woody Allen) is facing execution as he recounts his story. In Czarist Russia, Boris is in love with his intellectual cousin Sonja (Diane Keaton). She is jilted by Boris' handsome brother Ivan and marries a rich herring merchant instead. Despite being a coward, Boris is drafted to fight in the Napoleonic Wars. Sonja becomes a widow. Ivan is killed in the war but Boris becomes an accidental hero. The two reunite to marry and try to save the world by assassinating Napoleon.This is a parody of Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy novels in a spoof. As such, this may not be to everyone's taste. One has to have a wide-ranging literary and art film knowledge to appreciate a lot of the jokes. Diane Keaton does get to do more in this one. She has some darker sides and is almost equal to Woody. The literary crowd may have some laughs although they may be too stuffy to relax about the skewering.
TheLittleSongbird
Not quite top 5 Woody Allen but top 10? For me definitely, and of my viewings(which have not been in order of release, very random actually) of his films The Purple Rose of Cairo was the last film of his that got the 10/10 rating. Love and Death is a beautiful-looking film, lush scenery and opulent costumes as well as beautifully shot, of his pre-Annie Hall films Love and Death is his best-looking and quite possibly also among his overall filmography. The music is very memorable and fits perfectly, sprightly, stirring and lush, of the music scores of Allen's films Love and Death is among the favourites. With a script that crackles with wit and quotable lines, truly rewarding references to Bergman, Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky(which are easy to spot and get) and fun knockabout comedy set pieces with homages to silent film, Love and Death is among Allen's funniest and insightful films writing-wise. The philosophical stuff Allen includes is very intelligently incorporated and nothing comes across as biased or offensive, Allen has plenty to say and does so in a way that has his style all over it without feeling self-indulgent. The story is enormously entertaining from start to finish, very silly but in an endearing and genuinely hysterical way, once you get the references Love and Death is quite possibly among his most accessible films as well. Allen does a terrific job directing and his performance as a purposefully anachronistic character is just as great. No complaints to be had from the rest of the cast either, Diane Keaton in particular is sublime in one of her better performances in a Woody Allen film. Overall, a fantastic film, his best Pre-Annie Hall film, one of his best films overall and possibly one of his most accessible along with Purple Rose of Cairo and Sleeper. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Abyss47
Out of all the Woody Allen films I've seen so far, this is the one I can safely say I found hilarious. The comic timing on display is nearly perfect, and the film does a great job of staying unpredictable with the visual gags and constantly moving forward. Allen and Keaton have never been more fun to watch on screen, and they're aided by a strong supporting cast. The writing is extremely clever as well, satirizing Russian literature and making references to such films as "The Seventh Seal" and the works of Sergei Eisenstein. The film doesn't require you to have seen those films to find the references funny, though, and that's due to the brilliant execution. The film also contains Allen's trademark mock-philosophical debates that have been seen in his other films, except this time I found them far more engaging and funny than usual instead of rolling my eyes.The use of music was also clever, especially during the big, epic battle scene, which makes use of the music from Sergei Eisenstein's "Alexander Nevsky"; an excellent touch. That scene also winds up becoming one of the funniest in the entire film. Those who are fans of the likes of Charlie Chaplin and The Marx Brothers will want to check this film out as well since it pays tribute to them. Diane Keaton played her best character in all of Allen's films here, as it's both fully developed and charming. Demonstrating Allen at his most eclectic and creative, it's here that he made perhaps the most entertaining period piece (if you can call it that) of all time. If you haven't seen it yet, I can't recommend it enough. Even if you don't find it as funny as I did, it's likely you'll still be amused by it. As of right now, I'm proclaiming this as Allen's masterpiece. Every element just clicks to form a great, wondrous whole that never ceases to be entertaining or get a laugh out of me.
namashi_1
MR.Cinema aka Woody Allen, is simply THE BEST. 'Love and Death', Written, Directed & Acted by Allen himself, is amongst his finest works to date. A Fantastic Comedy! 'Love and Death' Synopsis: In czarist Russia, a neurotic soldier and his distant cousin formulate a plot to assassinate Napoleon.Like always, Allen pitches in a lot of humor in 'Love and Death'. The premise is terrific & the overall storytelling, is a pure genius. Allen's Screenplay is terrific & his Direction, as always, is flawless.Allen's performance as a neurotic soldier, is mind-blowing. Diane Keaton as his distant cousin, is flattering. James Tolkan as Napoleon Bonaparte, deserves a special mention.On the whole, 'Love and Death' is a must see film by MR.Cinema!
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