Woody Allen: A Documentary

Clocking in at over three hours, Robert B. Weide's PBS-aired American Masters documentary profile tells Woody Allen fans almost everything they ever wanted to know about the famed workaholic writer-director. For those familiar with the Allen who is compulsively protective of his privacy, it's somewhat disarming to see the 76-year-old being so open about his life on camera, but maybe that's because the film is more of a softball celebration of the Woodman's life and work rather than some scandal-mongering tabloid piece. Combining interview segments with Allen, various film clips, and encomiums from an A-list cavalcade of celebrity interviewees, Weide deftly traces Allen's unlikely progression from behind-the-scenes writer to stand-up comedian to comedic filmmaker, and finally, through the transformative experience of making Annie Hall, to becoming a serious auteur influenced by Bergman and Fellini as much as Bob Hope and Groucho Marx. The notorious Soon-Yi scandal is only touched upon, and the film all but drowns in expected fawning (if also deserved) praise from the likes of Sean Penn, Larry David, John Cusak, Mariel Hemingway, and loads of other Hollywood luminaries. Probably the most insightful bit is critic F.X. Feeney's mini-dissertation on how Allen's ear for music and rhythm profoundly influences his comic timing and onscreen work in general. DVD extras include an interview with Weide, and deleted scenes. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Sandlin)