Review of Play It Again, Sam (1972) by Bob V — 29 Oct 2011

Brilliant film that marked a turning point, or rather a tipping point, in Allen's career. Although this film still has plenty of straight-forward humour, and aims for as many loud laughs as possible (like Allen's other straight comedic films up to this point), there are also plenty of themes tackled, analysed & discussed, more often than not creating a more subtle comedy that will evoke smiles & chuckles rather than guffaws (this, of course, would become more & more prevalent in Allen's later films, eventually establishing as such a trademark that many people tend to forget that Allen ever made anything else).

This film also marks the first on-screen pairing of Allen & Keaton, a professional partnership that would prove eminently fruitful in years to come. It also has the distinction of not being directed by Allen himself, who normally directs all the works he writes himself.

A definite must-see that manages to work on all its levels without ever overreaching itself.