Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p15

18/04/2014 09:21 par tellurikwaves

Shakespeare and Bergman and Sprites and Spirits oh my
8/10
Author: canadude
31 May 2005

When I look at his filmography on this site and count the films I consider great from the 70s till the early 90s I only stumble over two or three entries I am not fond of.

Granted, some are greater than others, but Woody Allen essentially created consistently excellent films for two decades. Whether comedy or drama, whether set in New York or elsewhere, his films are not only great American films, but they belong in the international arena of film art.

Having said all that, and hopefully having disclosed my own bias in discussing the man's work, I can say without further ado that I loved "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy." It is hardly the type of Woody Allen film that would receive dozens of critical accolades and nominations (in fact it was only nominated for a Razzie), but I think that can be explained by the fact that Woody Allen set a bar of expectation for himself.

When you watch"Manhattan"or"Crimes and Misdemeanors"and then this you see a change of pace, a sort of lighter tone. That does not, however, mean that this film is without its merits. Taken strictly as a film, not as a Woody Allen film, it is plain wonderful. I think that goes for most of his films (except maybe some of the more recent ones).

Allen, of course, is up to his usual tricks again - he takes a Bergman film ("Smiles of a Summer Night") and spoofs it, makes it his own and I think successfully.The atmosphere of this film is what makes it so watchable - the beautiful blend of humor, nostalgia and unfulfilled desire, which I think he perfected in "Radio Days," come through exquisitely. It's also an interesting move away from the stark atheism, or at least agnosticism of his earlier films - the presence of spirits, shadows and ghosts, things unexplained by science, unaccounted for by our sentient experience.

The most interesting aspect of it is that this mystical theme is hardly incongruous with Allen's other films, including his tragedies. Whether his films underline the hopelessness of existence (like "Interiors") or the mystical, and thus hopeful nature of human relationships, they only differ by the mood the storyteller is in when he speaks of them.

Here we have an entirely Shakespearean comedy full of criss-crossing love affairs, absurd relations, untamed desires all leading to hilarious revelations, or serious revelations under the most comic circumstances. Jose Ferrer is remarkable as Professor Leopold, a cold, atheistic intellectual, an accomplished thinker and professor. Contrary to his character, Allen bestows him with some of the funniest lines in the entire film.

For example, when he realizes that his marriage to Mia Farrow's Ariel will be the end of his bachelorhood and that he is attracted to Julie Hagerty's nurse Dulcy, he attempts to compliment Dulcy over a game of chess. He says: "You have a wonderful flair for spatial relationships." These little speeches are completely in line with the comic absurdity of the whole, like Tony Robert's Maxwell, a romantic doctor who, gets shot not once, but twice in the film (once for love and once for revenge {meant for someone else}, nonetheless), orWoody Allen's stockbroker / inventor Andrew.

There is such joy in this film, such passion. Yes, maybe "Radio Days" is more articulate and personal on the subject, maybe "Crimes and Misdemeanors" is one of his best tragedies, "Manhattan" one of my favorite of his films along with "Hannah and Her Sisters" and "Another Woman." And, while "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" is not as great, in my humble opinion, as the aforementioned films, it is still a great film, if that makes any sense.

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p14

18/04/2014 09:10 par tellurikwaves

Very funny and entertaining movie!
8/10
Author: ugobo (oupsenaihay@hotmail.com) from Montreal
26 May 2003

First,i should say that i am an inconditional Woody Allen fan.(cépabon ça) I saw this movie for the first time yesterday and i had a GREAT time! Tony Roberts is just great in that one! I wonder why Woody did'nt cast him more often? I won't give you the plot as you already know it. I'll just add that A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is a different Woody Allen film.

This time he focus on the country in is beautifulness instead of the more common urban movie he used to shoot. And that gives this movie something unique compared to Woody's other works. The jokes and the situations are very funny and i laughed a lot! So if you are a Woody Allen fan(Ffff!)and haven't seen that one,forget about all the bad words that movie got and enjoy a realy entertaining viewing!

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p13

18/04/2014 08:59 par tellurikwaves

Light and Sensual Smile
7/10
Author: Galina from Virginia, USA
20 June 2006

Woody Allen's "Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" that was made in 1982 between "Stardust Memory" (1980) and "Zelig"(1983) is considered by many as a lesser Allen's work or even failure. It was even nominated for a Razzie (Mia Farrow) for crying out loud.

Well, failure or not, I'd take this silly, funny, humorous, beautifully photographed with Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3, Violin Concerto in E Minor, Piano Concerto No. 2 and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" suite for the soundtrack little treasure over the majority of Hollywood comedies any day or night including midsummer night.

Spoofing Shakespeare's classic comedy and highly successful Ingmar Bergman's "Smiles of a Summer Night", Woody made a light comedy about six very different people - three couples in a turn-of-the-century who gathered together in a country during the weekend party in search for love, understanding and meaning of life and death which has his own unique style. Allen does not take things too seriously and laughs at and with his characters providing the best comical scenes in the movie as an inventor.

One scene is his first appearance with the wings on his back when he tries to fly and another when he pedals his flying bicycle in a very ET - manner. Funny and memorable

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p12

18/04/2014 06:05 par tellurikwaves

It just makes a great evening. And that's great!
8/10
Author: stalker vogler from Xanadu
1 September 2007

Not intended to be an Allen masterpiece and produced after the self-indulgent Stardust Memories,(oui oh ça va hein !) this piece of work is the gift Allen made to himself and to us.

Taking stuff from Bergman's Smiles of a Summer Night, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn's suite for the play and some other works Woody realized an enchanting movie about the frivolous nature of human beings. It may not have the quality of Bergman's masterpiece and it may not last for more than four hundred years like Shakeapseare's play but it is definitely entertaining and makes a great summer evening's experience!

It is also the first appearance of Mia Farrow in a Woody film and she is always excellent, though nominated for a Razzie for this role. The scenery by itself is worth seeing the movie. Plus, there is an interesting blend of screwball comedy from Allen's earlier days (with him going on a flying bicycle), some romance that we came to be accustomed in his later movies and even some drama if you look closer. Overall, the movie has more positive aspects than negative and taken as a whole it does leave a smile on your face.

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p11

18/04/2014 05:57 par tellurikwaves

Woody Conjures Sex Magick!
Author: Son of Cathode from New England
25 January 2001

Bergman meets Shakespeare meets Kafka in this wonderful, perplexing and mystical film, not a hit when originally released but definitely one of Allen's most accomplished works, and a prototype for mature later films such as HUSBANDS AND WIVES.

Everyone in this film is great at being full of themselves, tripping over their egos and neuroses and trying like hell to escape their lives by running away, into the woods or each others' arms. Allen gets a chance to air his beloved ad-nauseum philosophizing, which tends towards nihilism but has elements of naive mysticism as well.

There is, indeed, a sense of deep magic in this film, of supernatural forces being an unseen dynamic partner in human affairs. For Allen, a lifelong atheist, this is virtually a religious confession! A very, very interesting film that holds up real well.

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p10

18/04/2014 05:47 par tellurikwaves

• rogerebert.com [Roger Ebert]
• 0-5 Stars Moria - The Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film Review [Richard Scheib]
• 2,500 Movies Challenge [Dave Becker]
• 25frames.org [Christoph Huber] (German)
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• DVD Movie Guide
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• DVDClassik [Olivier Bitoun] (French)
• eFilmCritic Reviews
• Epinions.com [Chris Jarmick] (No Spoilers)
• Every Woody Allen Movie
• Film Blerg [Paul Flavel]
• filmcritic.com has a Midsummer nightmare
• FilmFanatic.org
• Guide To DVD Review: Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy
• Happyotter
• Livejournal [I Hate Movies]
• M.G. Wood at Suite101 Reviews
• MacGuffin Film Blog [Jeremy Berg]
• moviemaster.de [Frank Ehrlacher] (German)
• Needcoffee.com - DVD Review
• Only The Cinema [Ed Howard]
• Rotten Tomatoes - Reviews from the Nation's Top Critics
• Spirituality & Practice [Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat]
• Surrender to the Void [Steven Flores]
• Terminus
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• This Divided State [Bryan Young]

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p9

18/04/2014 05:34 par tellurikwaves

José Ferrer  : Leopold (Professeur de philosophie et cousin d'Andrew)

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an overlooked masterpiece
10/10
Author: David from Tennessee, USA
25 May 2002

I am amazed at how neglected this film is. It is a real gem. I'm a big Woody Allen film and I consider it one of his best. The story is intelligent, well-written, funny, and charming. The themes of love, fate, and immortality are explored in a thoroughly entertaining way. A great performance by all the actors, but special mention should be made of Jose Ferrer and Julie Haggerty. See this movie. You will not be disappointed.

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p8

18/04/2014 05:23 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p7

18/04/2014 05:19 par tellurikwaves

Mary Steenburgen  : Adrian (la femme d'Andrew /Woody)

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Fiche technique
Titre : Comédie érotique d'une nuit d'été
Titre original : A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy
Réalisation : Woody Allen
Scénario : Woody Allen
Inspiration : William Shakespeare
Musique : Felix Mendelssohn
Directeur de la photographie : Gordon Willis
Date de sortie : 1982
Film américain
Genre : comédie
Durée : 85 minutes
 

Š-DR-COMEDIE EROTIQUE D'UNE NUIT D'ETE de Woody Allen (1982) p6

18/04/2014 05:15 par tellurikwaves