Celebrity is one of Woody Allen’s most underappreciated works. Shot by Sven Nykvist, the film is a visual delight—rich black-and-white imagery and clean camera movements that capture New York City in all its beauty. It doesn’t follow a traditional narrative; instead, it plays more like a series of vignettes tracking Kenneth Branagh’s character through a chaotic odyssey within the world of celebrity culture.
Speaking of Branagh, his imitation of Woody Allen’s mannerisms is hilariously accurate. He commits fully, and that total commitment is where much of the comedy gold comes from. The supporting ensemble is tremendous and perfectly suited to a film like this. Part of why Celebrity never grows stale is that we’re constantly being introduced to new, fascinating characters who populate its satirical, over-the-top version of NYC. People often criticize the film for being dry or derivative, but I couldn’t disagree more. For me, it’s one of the more compelling and thought-provoking entries in Allen’s already delightful filmography.
Celebrity is one of Woody Allen’s most underappreciated works. Shot by Sven Nykvist, the film is a visual delight—rich black-and-white imagery and clean camera movements that capture New York City in all its beauty. It doesn’t follow a traditional narrative; instead, it plays more like a series of vignettes tracking Kenneth Branagh’s character through a chaotic odyssey within the world of celebrity culture.
Speaking of Branagh, his imitation of Woody Allen’s mannerisms is hilariously accurate. He commits fully, and that total commitment is where much of the comedy gold comes from. The supporting ensemble is tremendous and perfectly suited to a film like this. Part of why Celebrity never grows stale is that we’re constantly being introduced to new, fascinating characters who populate its satirical, over-the-top version of NYC. People often criticize the film for being dry or derivative, but I couldn’t disagree more. For me, it’s one of the more compelling and thought-provoking entries in Allen’s already delightful filmography.
