You won't be disappointed!

Just perfect...

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

'Don't Drink the Water', directed by Woody Allen and based on a Broadway play by Allen is distinctly different from most of his other films due to its dated and just ordinarily funny plot and jokes. I believe this movie, which may have been made for television, was filmed relatively recently, probably after Michael J. Fox left 'Family Ties' and while or before he began his last TV series before retiring due to Parkinson's Disease. I have strong suspicions, however, that the play was written in the early sixties, not too long after the time in which the play takes place. One result of this being an adaptation from a stage play is that there is little or none of Allen's visual humor. All on screen business is written to be done on a stage with one scene on stage at a time. There are also practically none of Allen's favorite topics and plot tricks. This is nothing more than a stage comedy, and virtually none of Allen's other movies are 'nothing more than stage comedies'.The high point in casting, however, is that of the fine character actor Edward Hermann in the role of "Kilroy." It's a pity that Hermann isn't seen more often, because he is a gem of an actor. His character, Kilroy, is an ultra-conservative by-the-book diplomat who despises Axel Magee for his incompetence. Then, hit in the head by a projectile during a riot outside the Embassy, he suffers a concussion and acts as though he were the Wright brothers, both of them. The low point in casting is that of Dom DeLuise as "Father Drobny," a priest who has sought political asylum at the Embassy and hasn't left in seven years. DeLuise, regrettably, offers us the same pseudo-Italian accent he's been doing since the "Dean Martin Roasts" and "Smokey & The Bandit II." I like it because it was very stagey, no surprise for a filmed play. Woody has made some brilliant films and this isn't one of them, but its fun, energetic and we see him in classic Jewish Kay/Hope/Marx/Lewis/Allen mode. Great fun. And don't forget the marvelous Julie Kavner, voice of Marge Simpson, but even so much better as a comedienne.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

"Don't Drink The Water!" is not a comedy classic, it suffers from some staginess (which is to be expected, being based on a stage play and all), and some comic ideas don't come off at all (like the guy who gets hit on the head with a brick and starts thinking he is two people). But if you have a preference, as many do, for Woody Allen's "early, funny films" (personally, I can find things to appreciate in all of his career phases), this later one is probably as close as you're gonna get to them. Limiting his usual philosophizing about life, death, God and the universe to a bare minimum (though he still comes up with one of his simplest but wisest insights about the universe: "it's a rough place, but if you have someone to share it with, it gets easier"), Woody basically concentrates on firing off one-liners at such a rapid-fire speed that you may have to watch the film a second time to catch them all. And his great lines in this film are too numerous to count ("I heard, he has an idea. You'll find me at the fallout shelter"!). Julie Kavner is one of the most compatible female screen partners for Woody, and there is genuine sweetness in the budding romance between Michael J. Fox and Mayim Bialik; Dom De Luise's contributions are more a matter of taste. *** out of 4.

When this film first aired on ABC in the mid 90s, it was a pleasant "extra." In addition to getting the regular film-a-year in theaters, Woody managed to shoot a made-for-TV picture that was funny and looked like it could have played in theaters. It has a strong cast, and a lot of funny lines. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a solid piece of light entertainment. Well... how times have changed. Allen's last few efforts have been his worst films ever (The Curse of the Jade Scorpion and Hollywood Ending), and it's starting to make seemingly effortless entertainments like Don't Drink The Water (or Small Time Crooks, for that matter) look richer in hindsight. If his next film was as good as DDTW, I'd be thrilled. If it's as dire as Hollywood Ending, it will continue a very sad decline of one of America's greatest filmmaking talents...Don't rent HOLLYWOOD ENDING. Rent Don't Drink The Water! It's funnier! And better!

Who but Woody Allen would have a character become delusional as BOTH Wright brothers?Fine performances all around ,with Dom DeLuise giving a great turn as priest/would-be magician in hiding.Infinitely superior to the 1969 film with Gleason.A minor gem from All