Review of Radio Days (1987) by Kenneth L — 22 Jun 2010
This is one of my new favorites from Woody Allen. It's an unabashedly nostalgic look at life in 1940s New York, when everyone listened to the radio all the time. The movie doesn't have any one big story, but lots of little ones mixed together.
With Woody Allen's narration, the effect of the movie is that of looking through a picture album with a guy who has a funny story for every picture. It's simple, sweet, and genuinely fond of the time it recalls.
There's no big starring roles, but lots of fun smaller ones from great character actors: Mia Farrow as an aspiring singer, a tiny little Seth Green as an 11 year old kid, Julie Kavner (better known as Marge Simpson) as his mother, Michael Tucker as his father, Dianne Wiest as his luckless but optimistic aunt, Wallace Shawn as a radio actor, Kenneth Mars as a rabbi, Diane Keaton in a brief part, and so on.
There are some really funny little stories in here. The 1940s look is really helped by the costumes and a couple of really nifty sets. It's very likable.
This review of Radio Days (1987) was written by Kenneth L on 22 Jun 2010.
Radio Days has generally received positive reviews.
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