What a beautiful movie!

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Here's looking at you kid, the number one life lesson that Allen Felix takes a bit to literally, in Woody Allen's remarkable play adaptation.Herbert Ross directs Play it again Sam, the film based on the play written and Starring Woody Allen, with Diane Keaton, Toney Roberts, and Humphrey Bogart. A sensational funny witty classic Woody Allen piece, easy to watch and just impossible to dislike.Allan Felix is traditional Woody Allen, a neurotic divorced writer who struggles to get back in the swing of things, when his friends Linda (Keaton) and Dick (Roberts) attempt several times to set Allan up with women. Allan is however a devoted film fan and possess a passionate love for the classic Casablanca, which leads his imaginary figment of Humphrey Bogart (Jerry Lacy) to help Allan become a stud in the game.An absolute genius as always in the art of rom com, and general Woody Alleness. Being only 85 minutes long Play it again Sam is one easiest watches ,and just nice at ease enjoyable craft to take you where ever it pleases.Still bearing in mind that this is not directed by Allen, it still does not compare to the masterpiece that is Annie Hall, but I personally like better than Manhattan. Although it's charm and innocents makes it what it is, it is not the solid piece of film making that has been seen the works of Woody Allen. Still easy fun and entertaining, but just doesn't quite rich excellent film creation.I have recently adopted the event of a "Woody Allen Sunday" which basically implies that before the next week starts, the best way to settle down and enjoy the end of the weekend is to watch a work of Woody Allen. This has really just occurred from coincidence but in actuality a Woody Allen film is the perfect way to end the weekend.Just fun to watch classic Woody Allen nonsense. If you are only just getting to know the great Woody Allen, then I will say it will be the start of a beautiful friendship.7.8/10

I much prefer Woody Allen's early films for the simple reason that they make. Seriously, before he seriously became serious, this guy wrote great jokes, a gift I sometimes think he took for granted before he started imitating Bergman and strove for integrity. This one's a hoot, even if it is adapted from his own play and was directed by Herbert Ross and not himself.The idea that Woody's gormless Alan character escapes his emotional crises by consulting his screen hero Bogart is brilliant and is expanded still further when he also dreams up his absent ex-wife to contradict Bogey's positive stroking. The plot naturally evokes the triangle at the centre of "Casablanca" with the move cleverly ending up by recreating the same sacrifice also at a misty airport with Woody quoting Bogey's immortal words in exelcis.Along the way, Allen crams in loads of largely self-deprecating jokes and comedic situations, like his "1-2-3-4" chat-up line on the dance-floor, his description of his roughing up by two hoods chasing his girl and his imaginings of love-rival Tony Roberts' various reactions to the news of the affair between him Allen and his wife, Diane Keaton.The playing is delightful, Roberts, whose character would have been rendered redundant if mobile phones had been around and Keaton at her kooky best (and you should see some of her outfits too!) provide great background support to Woody's monologue. Herbert Ross' direction I found swung from between conventional romantic-comedy to quirky flights of fancy sometimes too incongruously at times but nonetheless he keeps things light and fast- moving. And a special word too for Alan Lacy in the thankless task of recreating Bogart, a job he handles with relish and the necessary attention to detail. While some of the attitudes displayed to women are somewhat Neanderthal, plus there is one distastefully unfunny exchange between Allen and Keaton on the "hilarious" subject of rape, this funny Woody Allen has many other memorable one-liners and plenty of laugh- out-loud funny scenes. How I wish he still made them like that!

'Play it Again, Sam' is Woody Allen's tribute to 'Casablanca'. It's been ages since I've seen 'Casablanca' and it didn't appeal to me as much. It may be advisable to watch it before seeing Allen's film, mainly due to the frequent references and the story itself is a homage. Obviously the director's a big fan of Humphrey Bogart and perhaps he sees a lot of himself in the moviestar.The whimsical narrative structure follows Allen's usual style. The characters have also been witnessed in Allen's other films. Allen himself plays his signature neurotic persona rambling on about psychosexual stuff. Tony Roberts does a fine job as Linda's fiancé who's usually absent when Linda needs him. Diane Keaton is outstanding. She looks stunning and her performance is excellently natural. Jerry Lacy does a good job of mimicking Bogart. In addition, I liked the soundtrack and enjoyed the playful cinematography.This film is classic Allen, a delight to watch. Even though I didn't like 'Casablanca' when I last saw it, 'Play It Again, Sam' makes me want to give it another chance. Perhaps I should.

While not Woody's best film, it is still my favorite, perhaps because I like Bogart so much, and love "Casablanca".This comic extravaganza is Woody's tribute to Bogart and Casablanca. It is filled with great comic lines and slapstick, but carries a serious undertone in it's reverence for Bogart and his movies, and particularly for Casablanca which this movie mimics in it's story of love between Woody and Diane Keaton, who is married to Tony Roberts. The essential plot of Play It Again, Sam is the plot of Casablanca set to the comedy genre.Woody schleppy, nerdy character reveres old movies, and particularly Bogart's films. As he agonizes over his problems in life and in relationships, the "ghost" of Bogart appears to him to advise him. It's not really Bogart's ghost, but the persona of Bogart that Woody carries in his own mind. He aspires to be like Bogart, but fears this is impossible. Addressing this fear, Bogart's ghost assures him that there is little Bogart in all of us. This comment is addressed to the audience as much as it is to Woody.The final scene is a hilarious takeoff on the final scene from Casablanca, and it is rendered even funnier by Woody playing it straight, until he remarks "It's from Casablanca. I've been waiting my whole life to say it." I've been waiting my whole life to say it too, but Woody has done it for me. And in doing so he made me feel that maybe, just maybe, I too could be like Bogart.