Review of Sleeper (2012) by Greg W — 14 Apr 2015

"Sex and death. Two things that come once in my lifetime.".

My third venture into Allen's film library, 1973s 'Sleeper'. Having seen three movies now it's clear (up to the 90s at least) that he doesn't venture from his comedy style - at all. It's similarly abstract to 'Bananas' in jokes and plotting. Hilariously so, with a more slapstick type approach this time among the witty lines.

'Sleeper' is set 200 years after 1973 where all women are frigid and men are impudent. 'Allen' plays 'Miles Monroe' a man who's thawed out of cryogenic sleep by some doctors in order to help a group of revolutionaries overthrow a dull, dictatorship leader. Of course he goes on the run and ends up running into 'Luna' (Diane Keaton) and together they impose a plan to take the leader down. It does show off Allen's entire comedic sense with ridiculous visuals - in the form a giant bananas and being beaten with a large strawberry. As well as the ludicrous conversations.

There's less of the rapid fire nature here than in 'Bananas' with more of the physical stuff taking over. An orb that gives out some sort of drug and the use of orgasm machine. Not to mention a hilarious chase with the police and 'Miles'. Almost all the jokes hit, visual and verbal - however towards the end it ran out of steam a little bit for me.

Even with that and less jokes this is probably the best of the bunch do far. With big ideas, from a world view point and the striking absurd visual comedy. I'll never forget the fight with the various fruits or the pump action rocket launcher. It all puts a smile on my face.