Review of Stardust Memories (1980) by Jess K — 10 Feb 2012

Although autobiographical claims are said to be "misinterpretations" it's likely safe to assume that most Woody Allen films are examinations of Allen's own obsessions. It's far more obvious why Allen would want to distance himself as a person from Sandy Bates of Stardust Memories.

Bates is an angry, depressed little man who views studio executives, fans and himself with equal scorn and contempt, everyone except the women he idolizes. Bates' internal world is captured through stream-of-consciousness recall, previous films and flashes of surreal imagination, often resulting in striking and enjoyable exchanges (particularly with aliens).

Allen's script anticipates criticism and parodies itself throughout, even foretelling future circumstances of Allen's off-screen life. While far from his earlier, funnier films, the humor is smart, bleak and genuine.

Between the death anxiety, idolization of beauty, fickle affections, neurosis and absurdist humor, it's easy to see why Stardust Memories would be claimed, rightly or wrongly, as an autobiographical work.