Woody Allen may not be considered one of the best American filmmakers of today, but his prolific output never fails to captivate audiences. Despite the relatively low budget of his movies, Allen's reputation as a thinking man's filmmaker has proven to be a winning formula. Unconstrained by financial concerns and with major stars eager to take on minor roles in his films, Allen continues to churn out new works at an incredible pace. However, the quantity of his output sometimes comes at the expense of quality, as Allen's films gradually began to blur together. To combat this, Allen started adding experimental elements to his typical plots about neurotic Jewish intellectuals, one of which was the element of misanthropy seen in his 1997 comedy, Deconstructing Harry.
The film's protagonist is Harry Block (played by Woody Allen), a successful novelist grappling with a severe case of writer's block. But that's just one of his many problems. Harry's old college, which once expelled him, now wants to award him an honorary diploma. Despite his desire to attend the ceremony, Harry finds himself alone as his selfish and irresponsible nature has alienated those closest to him. His three ex-wives and numerous mistresses have all suffered from his habit of using their lives as material for his novels. As Harry spirals into depression over family conflicts and failed relationships, he begins to hallucinate characters from his own stories.
While many of Allen's films are often seen as autobiographical or inspired by his own life, Deconstructing Harry marks a departure from this trend. The character of Harry Block, whom Allen portrays and is supposed to reflect the filmmaker himself, is a far cry from the typical Allen protagonist. Harry is a self-destructive, womanizing, and self-loathing alcoholic, unapologetically indifferent to the feelings of those around him. The film's explicit language, mean-spirited humor, and graphic scenes of sex and nudity further distance it from Allen's usual fare. This bold approach may be divisive among viewers, with some finding it a refreshing change and others longing for the more traditional Allen charm. The film's blending of real-life events with fictional elements can also be disorienting for audiences, though Deconstructing Harry does offer moments of genuine humor that will appeal to Allen's fans.
Rating: 5/10 (++)
(Note: This review was originally posted on the Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on June 23, 2004)
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