by Andrew A. Anissi

Woody Allen is witty.  Through his wit and his way with words, he convinces his audience that he is intelligent.  On a purely cerebral level, Woody Allen is, in fact, intelligent.  However, on an emotional level he is an idiot.  Woody Allen is devoid of understanding of life, existence, and the human condition, though he believes himself wise.  Woody Allen cannot conceive of anything beyond what he is already used to believing, which includes only that which is mundane, and nothing outside of the oft referred to box.  Woody Allen cannot fathom the purpose of life, and hence is devoid of any capacity to ever truly be happy.  As the world outside the box is non-existent to Woody Allen, he has no capacity for wonder or epic creation and hence no vision for positive change for himself, his family, or his community.

Others in the mindset of Woody Allen might find comfort in playing the victim, thus using their resulting self-righteous indignation, anger, and hate as a driving force for continued existence, while bonding emotionally with fellow victims.  But, Woody Allen’s rational mind is too intelligent and rational to credit the blame game with any validity.  Woody is left without deep emotional yearning, without any drive toward an epic purpose, and lives the life of a nihilist.  As Woody Allen cannot attain true happiness, in order to avoid total despair and depression, he attempts to distract and content himself with an overactive hunger for transitory, base pleasures (e.g. gluttony, sexual perversion, outwitting his fellows, antidepressant pills, etc.).

But transitory, base pleasures are insufficient to escape from despair and depression.  Doubtless, Woody Allen would be suicidal, except for the fact that he takes pride in his work.  Though he acknowledges his own life is a mess, and acknowledges his own infamy, Woody Allen takes pride in the many films and characters that he created, and the widespread entertainment that they have brought about.  It’s not enough to give Woody Allen true happiness, but it’s enough to keep him going without killing himself.

That’s my take on Woody Allen after the past two nights of having watched Deconstructing Harry and Whatever Works (and having seen most of his other films).  Woody Allen is not an example to be emulated, but, through his wit and his appeal to human feelings that most can relate to, he amuses us, so we continue to watch his films.