Reflections on the Woody Allen Close-Up
Every film director finds the close-up appealing and crucial in his or her own way, and the result for moviegoers is either endearing or forgettable -- or somewhere in between. Woody Allen's oeuvre, in awesome steps, traverses the spectrum between comedy and drama, often cleverly combining the two in a single shot-glass (as his most recent heroine would do). So here's a question: what do people think of the extreme care he gives to the close-up?
Pay attention to this with his most recent film, "Blue Jasmine". Not only does time seem to operate differently in the Woody Allen close-up compared to the work of other directors; in an incredible nuance, it seems to stand apart from how time is conveyed elsewhere in his own films. The Woody Allen close-up, quite simply, seems to have a mind and time of its own. This is a study for every film director, but it is especially intriguing when the director fuses comedy and drama in a unique, fast manner that thrives so much on words. The Woody Allen close-up, in general, seems to be taking place more slowly, in contrast to the witty quickness that the screenplay shows. Not many true close-ups were available, so just use this list to jog your memory; but it is undeniable that Woody Allen is a master of bringing important nuance to this specific form. The final close-up in "Blue Jasmine" is just so memorable: as Cate Blanchett's eyes slowly wander, confused by a haunting memory, our eyes stare directly ahead at yet another Woody Allen classic.
Pay attention to this with his most recent film, "Blue Jasmine". Not only does time seem to operate differently in the Woody Allen close-up compared to the work of other directors; in an incredible nuance, it seems to stand apart from how time is conveyed elsewhere in his own films. The Woody Allen close-up, quite simply, seems to have a mind and time of its own. This is a study for every film director, but it is especially intriguing when the director fuses comedy and drama in a unique, fast manner that thrives so much on words. The Woody Allen close-up, in general, seems to be taking place more slowly, in contrast to the witty quickness that the screenplay shows. Not many true close-ups were available, so just use this list to jog your memory; but it is undeniable that Woody Allen is a master of bringing important nuance to this specific form. The final close-up in "Blue Jasmine" is just so memorable: as Cate Blanchett's eyes slowly wander, confused by a haunting memory, our eyes stare directly ahead at yet another Woody Allen classic.
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