Remember when Woody Allen was funny? If not, check out Sleeper.

Woody is a man from the 1970's thawed out in 2173. Instead of being wow'ed by the future, Woody uses the time shift to comment on the world he left behind. When asked why people would watch Howard Cosell, Woody confirms it was a method of punishment.

Woody has been compared to a cross of Bob Hope and Harold Lloyd. But if you look closely, you'll also see a bit of Groucho Marx mixed in.

Sleeper is one of those films where the message is not beat over your head at the expense of the laughs you probably bought your ticket for. It's one of Allen's best, and perhaps Diane Keaton's as well. Keaton plays Woody's straight man. She is the privileged class in the beginning of the film. She is inept and shallow. Her exposure to Woody drags her down the class ladder, but up the intellectual ladder. Woody's character doesn't grow during this story. Keaton's is all about growth.

The long and short is that Sleeper is one of the top three Woody Allen films. You can say what you want about Allen's personal life, but you can't deny his talent in this film.

Slight Suction!

Film Facts

Cast
• Woody Allen
• Diane Keaton
• John Beck
• Mary Gregory
• Don Keefer
• John McLiam
• Bartlett Robinson
• Chris Forbes
• Mews Small
• Peter Hobbs
• Susan Miller
• Lou Picetti
• Jessica Rains
• Brian Avery
• Spencer Milligan
• Stanley Ross
• Howard Cosell
• George Furth
• Jackie Mason
• Richard Nixon
• Albert Popwell
• Douglas Rain
• Whitney Rydbeck

Directed by Woody Allen

Released in 1973

MPAA Rating: PG

Reviewed by Mongo