Review of Bananas (2006) by Stuart K — 17 Jan 2012

After his directorial debut, Take The Money And Run (1969) was a big success, Woody Allen was given a deal at United Artists that would last another 7 films after this one. This one is a surreal, off the wall comedy with high slapstick that was common in Woody's films of that period, and it still remains funny and offbeat to this day.

Fielding Mellish (Woody) is a neurotic product tester for a company that makes inventions such as coffins with headphones inside and a work-place gym. But Fielding wants to get ahead in life, and after meeting social activist Nancy (Louise Lasser), he tries to impress her by joining her cause, regarding the American support of the dictatorship of San Marcos in South America, ran by Gen.

Emilio M. Vargas (Carlos Montalban). Even after Nancy leaves Fielding, he goes down there anyways as they had planned, and he soon finds himself with the guerrilla revolutionaries, and joining in their cause to overthrow the dictatorship, which they do, but when revolutionary leader Sanchez (David Ortiz) goes insane, Fielding is appointed leader.

It is a very silly film, but it's also hilarious, rarely letting up. Woody was at his best here, showing confidence as actor, writer and director, it's a pity he didn't make more like this, but he matured as a director later on.

But, from wheelbarrows full of coleslaw to a young Sylvester Stallone, this comedy has the lot!!