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Whatever works for Woody
THERE is something very unnerving about the prospect of interviewing Woody Allen (picture). This man is an Oscar-winning auteur-screenwriter-actor. After all, this man made Diane Keaton. This man married his girlfriend's much younger adopted Korean daughter.
A little creepy ... but a lot brilliant.
What if my questions were not smart enough? What if he rambled on neurotically and I had no idea how to interject?
What if I was unable to expound on why I thought his astute insights on human relationships worked marvellously in some of his earlier pieces (Manhattan, Annie Hall, Hannah And Her Sisters) but fell flat in others (Scoop, Melinda And Melinda, Everybody Says I Love You)?
Thankfully, the 73-year-old turned out to be quite a nice man who isn't as media shy or cranky as he's made out to be. He called from his home in New York City to chat about his 40th film Whatever Works - where an abrasive, egotistical and beyond neurotic misanthrope (Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David) lightens up when he meets an impossibly sunny 21-year-old runaway (Rachel Evan Wood) - and we ended up having a lovely chat about zombie journalists.
He's even looking forward to maybe meeting me someday when he's in Asia. And, it's not because I'm a much younger Asian girl ...
Good morning Mr Allen. You're up early.
Good morning! Well, I have children who go to school and I have to take them … So I got up a long time ago.
What would you say is the best thing about being Woody Allen right now?
Well, I have a good home life. I like being a father and husband. And I have two great kids. That's much more fun than everything that has happened to me professionally.
And the worst?
That I am a chronic malcontent and I have a gloomy view of life. I have always been a gloomy person despite the fact that I have a very nice life, and know and worked with very nice people. Sigh. (Laughs)
Any chance of that changing soon?
(Laughs) I think the boat has sailed. It's too late for that.
Dare we ask if Larry David's Boris Yellnikoff is a reflection of some part of you? He's quite the neurotic malcontent, no?
People always look for clues to see if the movie is really about me, no matter how many times I've gone on record to say I make stuff up. (Laughs) I wrote Whatever Works for Zero Mostel in the 1970s and then he unfortunately passed away. It was sitting in my drawer and I decided to dust it off and update it.
Why didn't you play the role and how did you come to cast Larry in the end?
Well, to be honest, I envisioned a fat man when I wrote the character, so, no. And Larry? Well, it's because he's very funny. And 10 years younger than me.
(With Boris) I felt that it wasn't something I could act out well. There are a number of emotions in play, and some of which I think I could act out very well … some I didn't think I could at all. I'm a fan of Larry's, I mean he's been in two of my movies (Oedipus Wrecks and Radio Days) and we all thought he could do this material very well.
Tell us more about your big New York return. You haven't shot there in a while.
I love shooting in New York. But I just don't want to work out of New York exclusively. Every few countries, I would like to come back to New York. I've done four movies abroad - three in London, one in Barcelona. So I thought, maybe it would be good to come home. My children go to school here, all my friends are here. Everything I know is here …
How do you react when people say: 'It's Woody and his muse'?
I never think in terms of muses at all. All it took was for one journalist to say: "Diane Keaton is Woody Allen's muse." And then every other journalist with no imagination would write the same thing. Like zombies!
Mia, Diane, Scarlet ... They are all very talented actresses that any director would use. I use them because they are very good at what they do, not that they inspire a plot or storyline.
Hollywood's Who's Who is always clamouring to be in your films. Does everyone need to audition for you?
I usually see tapes of the films they have been in. Unless they've become drastically obese since their last work or have a terrible rash, that's usually a good indication. And then I'll just have the person come in for a quick chat.
I never make an actor do a reading because they can do a wonderful reading and be terrible when we shoot. Or they could read horribly but actually be perfect for the part. I like to meet them ... even if it's just for a second.
Okay, I am going to geek out and ask: Which of all your films is your absolute favourite?
If I had to choose, I'd say Purple Rose Of Cairo. I think I brought my idea off well. I took my time, told the story I wanted. I showed the audience exactly what I envisioned.
Any chance of shooting in Asia?
I have never been! Once I visit the place and get a feel, only then could I see if it's a place I could shoot a movie at. I have never been west of California. I like grey weather. I like Paris. I like London. I like the east coast, New York.
That said, I would really like to visit. My wife very much wants me to go to Asia. After all, she's from there and so are my daughters. If I'm ever in Asia … maybe we'll meet? My wife is dying for me to get out there so I am sure one day we will.
Whatever Works opens in cinemas tomorrow.