Review of Deconstructing Harry (1997) by Ryan M — 17 Aug 2007
A character study a shade darker than other Woody Allen cinematic adventures inside his head. Follows the "Wild Strawberries"-esque tale of a self-hating, misogynistic writer as he travels to up-state New York to receive accolades from a university that expelled him when he was enrolled.
The vignette sub-plots show how Harry Block (Allen) uses his fictional characters as ultimately unsuccessful therapy.
Funny in parts, I must once again question Allen's casting choices; sometimes he's spot-on in choosing the proper female foils for his neurotic incarnations, other times he brings on more awful actresses than Robert Altman. For every Diane Keaton or Scarlett Johansson, there is, in this case, Kirstie Allie, Andie McDowell, and Mariel Hemingway to contend with. Stunningly bad decision-making by a director who should recognize talent.
This review of Deconstructing Harry (1997) was written by Ryan M on 17 Aug 2007.
Deconstructing Harry has generally received positive reviews.
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