Happy Thanksgiving!
This movie is a Thanksgiving tradition in my family, even though only two scenes really relate to the holiday at all. Nevertheless, this movie is fantastic. I have plenty of issues with Woody Allen, but his movies are my guilty pleasure. Something about the storytelling and dialogue is really incredible in many of the films, and in this one especially.
From the first scene, when a group of guys are going around telling stories about a guy named Danny Rose, I am already laughing. This way of opening the movie really sets the tone for the next hour and a half. The dialogue is quick and intellectual throughout the whole movie, which I love.
The performances in this film are fantastic, from Mia Farrow's Tina to Nick Apollo Forte's Lou Canova and even Herb Reynolds' Barney Dunn. Not only are the characters hilarious, but the plot is never boring (running from the mob!), and it is all set to Italian music that makes me want to dance. This is one of Woody Allen's best movies, for sure.
The best scene in the film is the scene at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, where the mobster is chasing them through a warehouse full of Macy's parade floats and shoots helium cartons, making everyone's voices super high-pitched. It's really one of the funniest scenes ever. Genius. I highly recommend this movie!!!