Zelig (1983) 7.8
"Documentary" about a man who can look and act like whoever he's around, and meets various famous people. Director:Woody AllenWriter:Woody Allen |
|
0Share... |
Zelig (1983) 7.8
"Documentary" about a man who can look and act like whoever he's around, and meets various famous people. Director:Woody AllenWriter:Woody Allen |
|
0Share... |
Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Woody Allen | ... | ||
Mia Farrow | ... | ||
Patrick Horgan | ... |
The Narrator
(voice)
|
|
John Buckwalter | ... | ||
Marvin Chatinover | ... | ||
Stanley Swerdlow | ... | ||
Paul Nevens | ... | ||
Howard Erskine | ... | ||
George Hamlin | ... | ||
Ralph Bell | ... | ||
Richard Whiting | ... | ||
Will Hussung | ... |
Other Doctor
(as Will Hussong)
|
|
Robert Iglesia | ... | ||
Eli Resnick | ... | ||
Edward McPhillips | ... |
Fictional documentary about the life of human chameleon Leonard Zelig, a man who becomes a celebrity in the 1920s due to his ability to look and act like whoever is around him. Clever editing places Zelig in real newsreel footage of Woodrow Wilson, Babe Ruth, and others. Written by Scott Renshaw <as.idc@forsythe.stanford.edu>
ZELIG is simply a jaw-dropping sight and sound as a film; hilarious.... out loud. The funny premise is polished to some astonishing level of trickery with editing and matte effects seamlessly blending real 20s with recreated 20s adding Allen and Farrow and dialog and interviews that will have you recalling and roaring with laughter for days. I had not seen it since 1983 and now in 2008 to be reminded how stunning and hilarious this creation is, well, I am just delighted to be back on the wavelength of this genuinely brilliant hoax documentary. Now I can see how FORREST GUMP came about, given that it is a similar 'historic' premise using real footage of events and eras mixed with the lead character. But ZELIG is another perfection altogether; if you know your 20s, silent films, the imagery, the early sound newsreels and all those silly songs, then ZELIG is a superlative treat. It even features Mae Questrel singing a new Betty Boop song and for that alone I cheer this almost perfect film. What a delight. If you also get to see the early Peter Jackson hoax documentary FORGOTTEN SILVER or Stanley Donen's MOVIE MOVIE you will be equally rewarded.