BANANAS

US, 1971, 81 minutes, Colour.
Woody Allen, Louise Lasser.
Directed by Woody Allen.

Woody Allen made Time cover in June 1972. The article on him would indicate to you whether you would like his films, because comedians with particular styles do not appeal to everyone. Writer/director/actor Allen is very talented at 'little man" pathos and humour as well as being a clever and intelligent writer. Bananas seemed very funny indeed to me - excellent shots at the American style, at Latin American revolutions, politics, TV, sex, etc. (with some lapses of taste) as well as many sight gags. It would probably be best to see this film in a well-filled theatre where laughter catches. It runs for only 80 minutes.

1. How much did this film depend for its success on Woody Allen's style of humour? What are his chief characteristics? Where is he most successful?

2. The subjects of the satire - were they worthy subjects? Were they well satirised? The United States, its way of life, its style? American television, its prying nature, the attitude of its audience? Advertisements, especially TV ads, and the mentality they presuppose, New Testament cigarettes. The US and mechanisation, Fielding Mellish's job, testing machines. The Police and their methods. Demonstrations and the mentality behind them, especially that of Nancy. The nature of human relationships, their depth and superficiality, their being filmed on TV. Jargon and the 'in phrases' that are used to describe politics. human relationships etc.

3. The satire on Latin America, was it valid, did it offer insight into South America? e.g. the woman disguised for Hoover?

4. The role of the CIA? The nature of revolutions, the rebels, the dictatorship that follows a take-over and its ridiculous aspects? The incidental satire on the Jews in San Marcus? The satire on Christians?

5. Nancy, as a person, her work for San Marcus - why, her love for Fielding Mellish? Why? Why was it incomplete? Did she represent United States women looking for leadership qualities?

6. Fielding Mellish - what kind of person? woody Allen's 'little man' figure? His inadequacies, his longing to be something better, the masks that he put on ? literally the dictatorship mask? The little man in ordinary situations, e.g. buying the magazines? 6. What added to the humour of the film, the sight gags e.g. the court case, the interviews?

7. The film opened with the television looking at an assassination and finished with the television looking at the consummation of a marriage. What was implied about screening both these things on television and people watching? Their being described as if they were sporting events? What is the value of satire like this? For insights? For humour?