Woody Allen may well be a despicable creep and pedophile. He's still a great artist

[cali]

with a remarkable body of work.

His receiving the Cecil B. DeMille award at the Golden Globes recognized his body of work and artistry, not his humanitarianism.

I guess I don't see the point in denying that he's a great artist. He's hardly singular. I can both wholeheartedly condemn his as a person and still recognize his worth as an artist.

[Ohio Joe]

1. Regardless... I can't watch any of his stuff

It gives me the creeps.

[pnwmom]

9. I can watch his stuff as long as he's not in any of it.

But I can't stand to look at the loathsome creature.

[valerief]

80. Me, too. I'm amazed they gave him that award. I'm not surprised he didn't show.

BTW, I used to really like his films. Well, except for how the Mariel Hemingway one played out. That was creepy. And, now we know, autobiographical.

[redqueen]

2. Yep. But his work will always be tainted.

Some will continue to enjoy it. Some will not be able to do so comfortably. And every time he is in the news, people who are bothered by his actions will speak up about them.

[cali]

3. I disagree. In 25 years, he'll be dead. His movies will still be watched.

They'll still be taught in film schools around the world. They'll still be an influence in the industry. Assuming the world is still teetering on a century from now, the same will be true.

[redqueen]

5. I never said people will stop watching his films.

[theHandpuppet]

57. And he'll still be a loathesome creep and child molester

He belongs in jail, not at a tribute.

[Sheldon Cooper]

4. Leni Riefenstahl was a great artist, too.

And now Godwin's law has been evoked, so this thread is over.

[sufrommich]

10. lol. nt

[DontTreadOnMe]

126. double lol

end!

[kelly1mm]

28. She was a great artist. Her work is still studied in film school and film appreciation classes.

Same with D. W. Grifith and Birth of a Nation - racist as all get out but a seminal piece of film history.

[MADem]

31. Ha!

You're right--her stuff was rather brilliant--and I get the same creepy feeling watching her works as I do when I flip past one of Woody the Pedo's films...

Your post wins, I think!

[dsc]

88. she is probably still the best female director ever

and yes, a despicable human being. There are few great directors which are decent people. John Houston maybe, Spielberg, Ron Howard, and that might exhaust the list.

[nomorenomore08]

98. David Lynch? The guy's a bit of a weirdo, but I've never heard of him doing anything especially

awful. Same with David Cronenberg, though he strikes me as a bit more "normal" than Lynch.

[nomorenomore08]

97. Everybody has to draw their own line - I do it, you do it, we all do it, consciously or not.

If we dismissed the works of everyone who's committed (or enabled) terrible acts, much of the greatest literature, cinema, music of all time would go out the window. Throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as it were.

[SaltyBro]

6. He's a piece of shit

I don't care what he's done for the arts, he should be in prison.

[Tikki]

7. I believe his movies, their style, are an acquired taste...

Something I never acquired…seem so dragged out.

But then, I am a fan of James Jarmusch and John Waters and Penelope Spheeris' works… they sure aren't
everyone's cup of tea either.


Tikki

[Skidmore]

114. I have never acquired a taste for his works either.

And I felt this way long before his personal scandals became public. He engages in too much navel gazing and lint picking.

[deutsey]

8. I agree

Annie Hall remains one of my favorite movies.

I just saw Play It Again, Sam for the first time in a long time (it's now on Netflix). Honestly, I found his whininess more annoying than I remember, but I had quite a few belly laughs watching it and still enjoyed the film over all.

I don't like all of his movies and I haven't even seen many of his movies made since the '90s, but these two movies and a few others will always be favorites of mine.

[randome]

11. They're just movies. Nothing more.

They will fade with time as everything else and someday no one will know who he was.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Rules are made to be broken. Including this one.[/center][/font][hr]

[cali]

13. they're just sculptures, nothing more. They're just poems, nothing more. they're just paintings

nothing more.

Shakespeare? Just plays. same with Moliere. Diderot? Just encyclopedias. etc, etc.

[randome]

14. Of the hundreds of thousands of great works of art in the world...

...I don't have a problem dropping Woody Allen movies out of my consideration. There are always more -and greater- works of art to fill that 'void'.

I can live without him. I'm sure you could, too.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[cali]

15. sure, but you're one person. As far as the world of film making goes, Allen is a

an important figure and big influence.

and yes, I could live without him.

[tabasco]

83. Holy cow, get a grip.

Woody Allen and Shakespeare?

Fan boy much?

[quinnox]

12. K&R. He is a brilliant artist

Most people who are film fanatics agree on that. And I am not even a huge fan in that I have not seen most of his movies after Annie Hall. But Annie Hall is a masterpiece of comedy.

And yea, sometimes artist types do things way outside the norm, and sometimes they are self-destructive. That is fairly common.

[GeorgeGist]

16. Over-rated schlock.

[LordGlenconner]

49. Agreed

I don't get the appeal either.

[LeftinOH]

119. Crimes & Misdemeanors? Hannah and her Sisters? Brilliant stuff,

but it's for grown-ups... with grown-up tastes. No sight-gags, no fart jokes. Some of his work is over the heads of many people. And.. I'm referring to his work here, not his personal life.

[LordGlenconner]

121. So, to paraphrase

If you don't like Woody's art you're a moron or a child or both.

Got it.

[justiceischeap]

17. Some would say the same about Roman Polanski. nt

[WillowTree]

78. I have. Frequently.

[El_Johns]

94. I would. Chinatown is one of the best American pictures ever.

[stopbush]

18. He's a really crappy actor.

I wonder what it must be like to be a director and watch yourself acting like crap in your own films.

[HangOnKids]

27. Gee when you are brave enough to direct your own films

We might find out.

[stopbush]

112. So nobody is allowed to have an opinion about anything that isn't their metier?

What a childish response.

[HangOnKids]

115. Yip Yip Yip

[JCMach1]

19. good director and one of the BEST SCREENWRITERS EVER

he will always be remembered in the history of film...


also a very funny actor...

[Gormy Cuss]

20. If he's a pedophile, I don't care about his artistry. n/t

[lame54]

23. If

[Gormy Cuss]

41. Yes, if.

That was a careful word choice.

[Throd]

21. He's dead to me.

[BainsBane]

22. Cali! Nice to see you!

I know we have never talked much, but I'm glad to see you back posting.

[cali]

32. thank you. nice of you to say.

[boston bean]

24. I don't see rewarding pedophiles with awards as a good thing.

YMMV of course.

[librechik]

25. so deport him. Oh, can't.

[CBGLuthier]

26. He was just the victim of one pissed off former lover.

Anyone who believes those allegations is a fool.

And as for Mia Farrow, she now brags about sleeping around on Allen and possibly fathering a kid with someone else. So much for her fucking high horse.

[Squinch]

69. He was a young girl's father, then he had sex with her. He did that all by himself.

It has nothing to do with Mia's horses.

[msanthrope]

113. Andre Previn is Soon Yi Previn's father. nt

[Boudica the Lyoness]

74. I don't think Mia fathered any children

I also don't think that sleeping around, with other adults, behind your husbands back, equals what he did.

[NoOneMan]

29. Tough, I thought Blue Jasmine was poor, poor, poor, poor, poor

The flow. The script. The camera angles. The cast. Has he ever been to San Francisco? It looked like Jersey, from accents to actors to the cast (does he know of no other culture?). God, I thought I was watching an old 80's flick. I don't think he can keep up with the film industry's innovation. He is old news.

I haven't seen anything good from him since Match Point, and that was just a Dostoevesky rip-off

[WeekendWarrior]

52. Blue Jasmine was brilliant

And you have no idea what you're talking about.

[NoOneMan]

56. No, it really wasn't

If an unknown writer and director did it, you wouldn't of heard of it.

Its been done before. Its been done better. We expect more these days.

[lady lib]

72. Total agree with you NoOneMan.

It was weirdly out of both place and time. The only saving grace was Cate Blanchett's acting.

[WeekendWarrior]

73. I always say, to each his own

But in this case you're just wrong.

[MADem]

30. Cardinal Law is said to be a good conversationalist....I don't wanna talk to him, though.

The Frugal Gourmet was a swell cook--I wouldn't buy any of his books, either.

I think I can find films to watch that aren't made by pedophiles. I just won't support him in any way, shape or form.

Also, it's no great sacrifice to eschew his work--I find his efforts a bit whiney, tiresome and long-winded. I think the award has as much to do with an element of insular navel-gazing that Hollywoodland sometimes likes to indulge in, as any actual talent. Keep repeating "He's a genius!" enough, and if the "right people" start saying it, he gets the prize.

I don't find his stuff particularly compelling; it's not "awful" but he's not in my Top Ten, or even Twenty.

[cali]

33. this isn't about what you personally think of Allen

It's about his impact on the field. And that has been considerable. That's what the award was for.

[MADem]

39. Well, I addressed that whole "impact on the field" thing in the body of my post.

I think that the award givers have the attitude that the Emperor's clothes are rich and beautifully tailored.

I think this odious pedophile will end up -- through the very long lens of history -- having far less impact on the field than, say, DW Griffith--an odious racist whose films are rarely viewed outside of film schools and the odd late night on Turner Classic films. However, DW at least advanced the way films are made with feature length efforts, use of narrative, etc. That said, if you mention his name, most people will think you're talking about Andy of Mayberry. No one knows who he is and they haven't seen any of his films.

I think Woody the Pedo will eventually be consigned to the dustbin of film history, known only to film school students who will recognize "whining" as a recurring feature in his efforts.

[cali]

43. no, you really didn't. a comment with your personal opinion of the awards

is not addressing his impact on the field in the slightest bit. His impact on the field can be seen in any academic setting, for instance. Again, your personal opinion is not defining. I think you're letting your personal distaste get in the way.

[MADem]

63. Look, everyone here is expressing "opinion" -- even you. And no one's, not even yours, not even

the Awards Committees'--is "controlling." That's for history to decide.

Here's the point I made:

Keep repeating "He's a genius!" enough, and if the "right people" start saying it, he gets the prize.

That doesn't mean anyone will give a half-shit about him twenty years after he's dead...or even sooner.

Ask any kid who Maurice Chevalier is -- he got that award, too, and most young people today have never heard of him and couldn't pick him out of a photo line-up on a bet. Woody, of course, knows just who he is--Maurice sang one of his favorite songs:

[Squinch]

71. THAT whole movie had a very high creep factor.

My sister loves it and slaps me when I say that, but Jeez!

[MADem]

79. And the singer of that tune got the same award they just gave "Woody!" (Apt name, I suppose, the

cretin....).

But really--unless you're of a certain age, who remembers him? He got the damn award for being "charmant," and "avuncular" and having a twinkle in his eye, and because, at the time, "all things French" were the rage.

He was a young and handsome French song-n-dance man who grew into a stately, older, pleasant looking song-n-dance man. He wore straw hats with a tux--ooh, la la! He sang some tunes that didn't demand much of a voice.

And he got the same doggone award...!

As for the movie, I agree with you--it wouldn't surprise me if it's on Cardinal Law's "fav" list!

[dorkzilla]

105. This may be the thing Chevalier is most remembered for...

From some truly talented film makers:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7clor_les-marx-et-mooorice-chevalier_shortfilms.



Edited to add: I don't know why the thumbnail isn't posting...it's worth the click!

[MADem]

108. Haven't seen that in over a half century--not exaggerating, either! nt

[Vattel]

34. Why would anyone claim that Woody Allen is a pedophile?

Falling in love with a 17-yr-old is not pedophilia.

[quinnox]

37. that does seem strange

I don't really know the story, but sounds like typical celebrity gossip.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

40. Because Mia Farrow's daughter (not Soon-yi Previn, another one) says he abused her.

I have know idea if it's true or not, but it's been alleged.

[maindawg]

76. He abused us all

Woody sees himself through the same glasses that created his art.
Ty Cobb was a bad guy. Fatty Arbuckle was ruined by a conspiracy.
I sure hope Woody did not abuse his step daughter. But I think he probably did.

[Vattel]

82. I didn't know that. I hope it is not true.

[nomorenomore08]

99. If you're a middle-aged man, then I'd say it's borderline.

And it's been suggested he was having sex with his quasi-stepdaughter even before that age.

[Dorian Gray]

35. People don't like him

I get it. (Though I do watch his movies)

[Xyzse]

36. I am not a fan of his body of work.

I've only seen a few, and it did not impress me. Then again, I may have been too young to appreciate it.

Still, the statute of limitations for crime if it is committed, may be long past.

I can understand that people recognize his worth as an artist. However, when I saw some, I was not impressed, and when I learned what he has allegedly done, I just couldn't.

I don't see his as a great artist out of personal preference, but I have avoided his films since the 90s. I can see people lauding him, but that is on them, I generally detest the guy.

[get the red out]

38. I never liked his movies to begin with

As a person, he gives me the creeps.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

42. The obvious rejoinder is "he may be a great artist, but he's still a despicable creep".

I enjoy, and will continue to enjoy, a lot of his work, but if the allegations are true (I should stress that I have no idea if they are or not; for all I know he may be being unfairly maligned) then he still belongs in jail.

They could put him in the cell between Polanski and Koestler.

[MineralMan]

44. Woody Allen lost me with Manhattan.

His character's inappropriate relationship with a teenager in the film just turned me right off, and I never really watched any more of his films after that.

Reflected in his real life, I still feel the same way. His life has colored my opinions of his filmmaking.

Your opinion might differ.

[Jenoch]

45. I'm still amused by Ronan Farrow's Tweet from last June.

"Happy father's day -- or as they call it in my family, happy brother-in-law's day."

[redqueen]

59. DAMN!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

46. Agreed. I don't know about the creep/pedophile part. But, he is a great artist.

Not as great as many directors but better than most.

[closeupready]

47. And yet, 'Lolita' is considered a great work of fiction.

Or 'Summer of 42' a maybe not great film, but an important period film.

I think Woody Allen is disgusting, but his films are well-liked, and considered important.

Despite that, I do agree with those who say that his personal life will overshadow his works, and he will become a footnote in film history, if that. I'm fine with that; you might disagree, but that's just how society works.

[WinkyDink]

55. Hello? FICTION. Plus, great literature, unlike pap, is more than a story-line.

[closeupready]

62. You miss the point.

But whatever.

[MADem]

65. Lolita was a cautionary tale--it wasn't a "How To" book or film.

Don't click on this link if you don't want the ending revealed, but suffice it to say that Lolita was never written in praise of child molestation.

[nomorenomore08]

102. And IIRC, Humbert in Nabokov's mind was more "evil rapist" than "dashing anti-hero."

But I suppose he's a sufficiently nuanced character to give rise to more than one interpretation.

[LordGlenconner]

48. And he never played football!

[underpants]

53. But he practices a lot when he is by himself

From "Love and Death"

[WeekendWarrior]

50. There's no proof he's a pedophile

The girl he married was neither underage or related to him. And while it may be a little unsavory, there's been much worse.

As for the charges of molestation, they came in the middle of a custody battle at a time when the wounds were still raw.

Re: the girl (now woman) in question, I'm sure she's spent decades being poisoned about Woody by her mother, and there has been not one shred of evidence to prove that he ever harmed her—or anyone else—in any way.

That said, I don't know for sure. I can only make assumptions and they may well be wrong. But if my assumptions can be wrong, so can anyone else's. And I refuse to condemn any man based merely on speculation.

Instead, I'll simply enjoy his movies. Which are mostly brilliant.

[WinkyDink]

60. Google. The JUDGE said there was enough to prosecute.

[WeekendWarrior]

75. It was the PROSECUTOR who said it

and a panel of judges found his behavior unacceptable. And prosecutors say a lot of things. I've seen plenty of them insist a wrongfully convicted man was rightfully convicted, even in the face of DNA evidence that proves otherwise.

Like I said, there's not proof. And, honestly, if a prosecutor felt there WAS enough evidence, he would have prosecuted. Lack of evidence has never stopped them before.

I find it interesting that people here on DU, who claim to be progressive, are so willing to convict Allen in the face of no credible evidence whatsoever.

[vankuria]

86. I never believed the charges

The only thing Woody Allen is guilty of is using bad judgment in getting involved with Soon Yi Previn because she was a sister to his other children. However Soon Yi was 19 at the time, legally an adult and Woody never married her mother so he was not her step-father. The charges Mia made against Woody, that he molested their younger daughter came out during a custody battle.

Mia was involved with Woody for a number of years and only made the molestation charges after she learned of his affair with her older daughter. I believe Mia's hurt, public humiliation and being deceived not only by the man she loved but her daughter as well made her want to hurt Woody the worst way she could, so she accused him of being child molester.

Just my opinion but I believe Mia to be a bit unstable, she even legally changed the name of the son she and Woody conceived together. Now she's saying he's not Woody's son at all, but was conceived from an affair she had with Frank Sinatra(?)! I don't believe this for a minute, just another fantasy she has to rid herself of the pain he caused her.

[WeekendWarrior]

123. Actually, I believe the Sinatra thing

If you look at a photo of the kid, Sinatra is definitely in there.

[vankuria]

128. I thought Ronan looks like Mia Farrow

but that's just my perception. And I also wonder how logistically Sinatra and Farrow would've gotten together for this supposed "fling" that produced a child and why they never conceived a child together when they were married. Frank's been married several times but only had children with his first wife and by the time he and Mia could've conceived Ronan he would've been 73 years old. Frank had been sick for many years before he died, suffering from bladder cancer, kidney disease and dementia so it makes no sense that he and Mia had a baby together.

When Mia and Woody had Ronan she was really into him and only turned against him when she found out he was fooling around with her daughter. My opinion, I think Mia lays awake at night thinking of ways to discredit Woody.

[countryjake]

110. Judge Elliott Wilk, citing the report from the Yale-New Haven Hospital...

Child Sexual Abuse Clinic, in his decision to deny Allen custody of his children, said that he had "reservations about the reliability of the report."

The report which he was questioning is the one that concluded that Dylan Farrow had not been sexually abused.

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/11/mia-farrow-frank-sinatra-ronan-farrow

Thibault cited a litany of practices employed by the Yale–New Haven clinic that at least one expert put into question. Based on an examination of court documents and the report, he wrote, “The Yale team used psychologists on Allen’s payroll to make mental health conclusions.” He reported that the team had destroyed all of its notes, and that Leventhal did not interview Dylan, although she was called in nine times for questioning. They did not interview anyone who would corroborate her molestation claims. Judge Elliott Wilk, who presided over the custody hearing brought by Allen, wrote in his decision that he had “reservations about the reliability of the report.”

[WeekendWarrior]

122. And where in there does he say

there's enough evidence to prosecute?

By the way, even if he did say it—and I'm not seeing it—why should we believe a judge over a group of experts who studied the case and said the allegations were baseless?

It seems to me you simply want to believe Allen did something heinous, so you're looking for anything that might support that belief. Like a bad cop or prosecutor or politician.

The truth is, this was already handled by the authorities, the experts and the courts, and Allen was cleared. I believe in the dictum "Innocent until proven guilty."

[WeekendWarrior]

125. This pretty much sums up all the evidence

http://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/19/nyregion/woody-allen-says-report-clears-him.html?src=pm

[El_Johns]

95. Actually, I think the -judge- said the opposite. Which is why he never got prosecuted.

[underpants]

51. I agree

A HUGE fan ... especially the early funny stuff

[WinkyDink]

54. From the Roman Polanski School of Condoning Pedophilia.

[dipsydoodle]

58. Yes a great artist.

Pretty mean with a clarinet too : saw him play here in the UK.

[HipChick]

61. Funny how someone can be cruel to dogs and be scorned...but being a molestor is ok..

Michael Vick comes to mind..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024323627

[MADem]

66. Count me out--I don't think his conduct was "OK." I think he's a sick jerk. nt

[Number23]

84. Child, I read this thread and thought the EXACT same thing!!!!!!

This place is so full of it

[HipChick]

85. Exactly...

Folks won't take Micheal Vick off the cross...but want to give Woody Allen a pass...

[LanternWaste]

116. Is there an overlap of those who hold Vick to one standard and Allen to another?

Is there an overlap of those who hold Vick to one standard and Allen to another? I didn't really see any, but I didn't collate the names either.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

91. That only works if you show your proof....

....that the same people defending Woody are crucifying Mike Vick.

[nomorenomore08]

104. Both should be scorned for their actions. Neither's talent should be dismissed because of them.

It's a fine distinction, perhaps, but quite an important one.

[HockeyMom]

64. As his generation, more or less,

I always thought he was dumb and boring. Oh, born and raised in MANHATTAN, Woody.

[elias7]

67. I disliked Amadeus for the reason that I can separate the art from the artist

Mozart was not an exemplary character, and we don't remember him for his personality or personal issues. His music is remembered because of its genius.

I think that if we reject the art of those very human individuals because of their very human foibles, we're not only missing out on much of the world's great literature, poetry, music and philosophy, but also falling into that People Magazine/gossip world mentality that timeless art should transcend.

[eridani]

68. There really isn't a rule against assholes being talented

Nietzsche and Pound also come to mind here.

[Atman]

92. +1

So you're a horrible person. How does that mean you're not talented? Ask Picasso or Pollack or...or...Woody Allen.

A lot of us have traits we're not proud of, yet we got to work each day and pretend we're normal. It doesn't diminish from the work itself.

I must be clear, although the Outrage Brigade already has their fingers on their buttons, that I'm not excusing, condoning, endorsing or otherwise saying anything good about being a pedophile or a molester or anything else. I'm not condoning being a rabid DU flame-thrower. I am asking you to step back and take a deep, deep breath...

Did you ever like Picasso's, Pollack's or even Woody Allen's art? Did you ever?

If so, how does that make the art you loved, the art that moved you, any less than art that moved you?

Gaugin was a fucking creep, but there are entire museums devoted to him. Not a word of outrage on DU about him, though.

Hmmm. Call the Selective Outrage Brigade!

If a piece of art moves you, then it moves you. If it genuinely makes sick because of the life of the artist who created it, you'd better be prepared to empty your walls and throw away your DVD's and just buy shit from The Mall Art Store and the Disney Channel -- but don't watch ABC Family...that's some fucked up shit!

[LanternWaste]

118. As opposed to the Head in the Sand Platoon?

Call the Selective Outrage Brigade!

As opposed to the Head in the Sand Platoon?

(Six of one, half a dozen of the other... and both petulantly imply the aberration as the norm. Insert distinction without a difference here)

[Atman]

120. The abberation is the norm? Make shit up much?

I asked if certain art moved you.

Does certain art move you?

When you first stood in front of a great painting (or just a mediocre painting done by a friend) and were moved by it -- you felt it, you loved it -- did you immediately wonder about the artist's fucked up life? Because many artists are psycho. Many are not. Many are drunks or dope heads, many are not. Many have serious emotional issues, many do not.

The underlying question remains: Did the art move you? That is all art is about. Observe. Immerse yourself. If you can't watch a Woody Allen film (there are many in which his only appearance is his name in the credits) without retching at the thought of his life outside of the film you're watching, then fine. Don't watch Woody Allen films. But if those sames films once moved you, once made you happy, once made you smile or cry, are they now less than art?

[Vashta Nerada]

70. He's a pedophile, so he's a shitty artist.

I don't care how "good" his works are.

He should be in prison.

[MADem]

81. Naaaah. He's a pedophile...AND he's a shitty artist!

Though I wouldn't call him shitty, really...he's more like a whingey, whiney one-note wonder. He never steps outside a very narrowly defined comfort zone, he's not a risk-taker, except, apparently, in his private life.

He became famous when whingey, whiney introspection was all the fashion, and he articulated that sense well, so people have made assumptions about him and his artistry that really aren't supported over the long arc of his career.

It's like a guy who went to high school in the fifties still wearing the "d.a." (duck's ass) hairstyle thirty or more years later--he looked cool at the soda shop, he was hot stuff at the prom, but after a while, ya might want to try something new!

[WillowTree]

77. Good for him. I'll still pass on all his "great art".

[DisgustipatedinCA]

87. I love his movies...especially the older ones.

A well-deserved reward, in my view.

[Brother Buzz]

89. There are only two of his films I enjoyed:

Take the Money and Run, and What's Up, Tiger Lily? The rest of his stuff was to cerebral, or something, for my pea-brain.

[El_Johns]

96. I think pretentious is the word you're looking for. Though I enjoyed Annie Hall. But I don't

consider it great art, just a good movie.

[SidDithers]

129. You probably prefer Hannah and her Sisters...nt

Sid

[Eleanors38]

90. And then there is Phil Specter.

[Blue_In_AK]

93. I can't stand the guy.

I've boycotted his movies for years -- I never cared for his style anyway. Too whiny, too neurotic. I don't go to movies to be "entertained" in that way.

[Rex]

100. The Marquis de Sade hated state tyranny and was against the death penalty

yet is that what he is remembered for? History might (not) be kind to Allen, all we can do is speculate.

[FatBuddy]

106. I haven't read Marquis de Sade in donkey's years

so I can't remember if he advocated child fucking.

child rape pretty much invalidates EVERYTHING about someone as a human being.

[Niceguy1]

101. ** alledged

I have heard of no trial or convictions,,,,,,

[nilesobek]

103. No trials or convictions

So its not the same as saying Charles Manson plays ok guitar and writes some decent songs that are bootlegged from prison.

[me b zola]

107. *BLECH!*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This creep married his daughter! WTF is not clear about that?!

Fuck his movies, and anyone else whom wants to kiss his ass~

[countryjake]

111. I'll second that BLECH!!!!

After reading this entire thread, I do think it stands as the most appropriate comment.

[Waiting For Everyman]

109. I agree that an artist's life is totally separate from their work.

I couldn't care less about the personal background and never pay any attention to it.

That said, I was never a fan of Woody Allen's films. They have a good moment here and there, but mostly bore me silly. I don't like him as an actor in his own movies. I also think Diane Keeton is annoying and overrated as an actress, for that matter so is Mia Farrow, so their acting is another thing for me to get past in most of his movies... added together, it's just too much to overcome for me to like. I did like Midnight in Paris, and maybe it was because all of those negatives were out of the way in that one.

As to these allegations, it's inconclusive. I doubt that he's a great guy, but I have no particular confidence in the child either, so I neither believe nor disbelieve either of them.

I'm not impressed with Ronan Farrow's behavior either. I think it indicates that he, too, has a screw loose.

[KamaAina]

117. So was Michael Jackson

[Boom Sound 416]

124. Thanks

[Botany]

127. I used to love his work but after he started dating the girl who was his "daughter" in his family ..

.... I have never watched or will I watch any of his stuff again. The man is a creep.