Film Review - Zelig

This is truly a masterpiece of deception. The film purports to be a documentary right up to the closing credits. The first time I got a glimpse of Zelig, I was channel surfing past HBO while it was playing. I actually watched 20 minutes thinking it was a documentary.

I'll give anything a good rating if it can fool me. Woody Allen did in this case.

What's it about? Jeez, you want me to tell you the movie? OK, Woody plays Zelig, the human chameleon, in 1930s New York City. The effects are fantastic when you consider that in 1983 you could add Woody Allen to a 1930s shot of Times Square only through optical methods, no computers! Oh my God, did I say that?

Other methods used in this production include buying the worst film stock available and after shooting the movie, throwing the film on the floor and walking on it to scratch it.

We would give this our highest rating except although this really is a short movie, it feels long. Cut maybe five minutes out and we'll turn off the vacuum cleaner.

Slight Suction!

Film Facts

Directed by Woody Allen

Released in 1983

MPAA Rating: PG

Reviewed by Mongo