Twilight Time continues with their release of the early to mid-period works of director Woody Allen with this film, released in 1971 and the third feature that he directed. Keeping with his prior effort Allen not only co-wrote the film but stars in it as well.Allen plays Fielding Mellish, a nebbish if there ever was one, who spends his days working for a company that has him testing various products that seem to do him more harm than good. He meets a young activist named Nancy (Louise Lasser) who knocks on his door to ask him to sign a petition. Rather than just sign it, he talks her into meeting him on a dinner date and they begin dating. Until she tells him she's not interested, longing for more of a leader like those fighting the revolutions in Latin America and parts ways with him.In an effort to prove her wrong and having already having made plans to go, Fielding travels to San Marco. While there he is recruited by Gen. Vargas in the hopes that he will join with the rebels. Vargas' plan is to kill him which would force the hand of the U.S. to get involved and help him when one of their citizens is killed. But in only the way Fielding can, he isn't killed and goes on to join the rebels fighting there. He trains alongside this group learning their ways in the way only Allen could learn which is mostly wrong and potentially doing himself more harm than good.Eventually the rebels win and their leader Esposito takes over. But his plans for the country are no better than those of his predecessor so the rebels force him out and place Fielding in charge, fake red Castro-style beard and all. Visiting the U.S. as the new president he is re-united with Lasser who doesn't recognize him. From there things tend to get more strange and yes, that is possible.The plot at the center of the film is very simple yet works. It provides the groundwork for Allen to lay out numerous one liners and jokes that make sense in the context of what is going on. That being said it is quite easy to see that this is an early film. His later movies went on to follow a similar pattern with his comedies but also develop more of a story as well. Many have noted that his fondness for Groucho Marx shines in his early comedies and the fast paced banter and one liners is a definite give away that this is so.While this isn't the best movie that Allen ever made it certainly isn't close to one of his worst either. Much of what you see here definitely sets it in the 70s and you can tell. Interesting to note is a short sequence that features a young unknown (and uncredited!) actor playing a hood that accosts Fielding on the subway by the name of Sylvester Stallone.Twilight Time is offering the film in blu-ray format with a 1080p transfer. Extras are very limited here featuring an isolated music track, the original theatrical trailer and writings by film historian Julie Kirgo. As with all of their titles it is limited to just 3,000 copies so if you want to insure you have a complete collection of Woody Allen films make sure you order one today.

Bananas is a very early Woody Allen film, the second film on his resume if I remember correctly. It's a small film, but it's one that opened the eyes of everyone to the comedic talents of Woody Allen. His flair for dialogue and comedic timing, both as a director and an actor, is prevalent. He also exercises his skill for dialogue, and this film is full of fresh, wonderful dialogue. Coming off the Vietnam War and world-known trouble in Latin America, this film was ripe for opportunity and Allen seized his chance. I love the satirical tone of the film, as it lambasts everything from politics to relationships. The movie doesn't take itself seriously, and that is evident from such scenes as commentating on a sexual encounter as if it's a boxing match and the main protagonist becoming a dictator of a country. It's all quite funny, if you are willing to suspend your belief.Woody Allen's film is about a man named Fielding Mellish who is a consumer products tester. When his girlfriend dumps him, he decides to go to the fictional South American country of San Marcos for a vacation. But he gets caught in the political turmoil of that country, which is led for him to being nabbed by the FBI.The film doesn't have any stars to speak of, maybe other than Allen himself. He's quite funny and he delivers his own dialogue with expertise. If you don't believe, look no further than the courtroom scene, where he cross-examines himself. His girlfriend was played by newcomer Louise Lasser, and she does a really good job of coming across as the bored girl of the relationship. If you look closely, you may spot a cameo of Sylvester Stallone, before his Rocky days. I also loved the commentary delivered none other than Howard Coswell, one of the commentators on ABC's Wide World of Sports.Overall, Bananas is a sharp, witty motion picture that has the customary humor we expect from Woody Allen. This really isn't one of those romantic comedies he is good at making, but rather a satire against politics. This isn't the best film to come from him. There were moments I felt the comedy was forced, especially when it came to the relationships. But on the whole, a very enjoyable film.My Grade: B+

After writing gags and doing stand-up, Woody Allen gets the chance to exert some control, as director, over his own film. The result is a real hodgepodge of comedy. Although it is held together by a story, "Bananas" feels more like sketch comedy, as though Woody was downloading his ideas straight onto film.If you like Monty Python, the feel of "Bananas" will probably appeal to you. The film includes all types of comedy. First, there is a heavy dose of the absurd. The film starts with a reporter doing a news story about the live assassination of a dictator. Then Howard Cosell delivers play-by-play and an interview with the dying head of state.Woody's character, Fielding Mellish, is a descendant of the stand-up persona he had created--a nervous, talkative, academic nebbish. He is the perfect foil for physical comedy. Mellish works as a tester of products for a manufacturing company. We see him test an Executive Workstation with funny results.The film even includes silent film sections. Feeling like a cross between Marty Feldman and Harold Lloyd, Allen's Mellish is a hapless victim of misfortune.Allen loves wordplay and, especially, witty repartee between characters. Note the scene between Allen & Lasser when she knocks on his door seeking signatures on a petition. It's like a modern-day Burns & Allen.Allen really loves the heavy subjects--art, philosophy, and religion, for example. This gives him a chance to express his opinions, to poke fun at silly conventions, and to ridicule those who are pompous. In a counseling session, Mellish delivers the classic symptoms and causes of neuroses on a silver platter for his psychologist, then skewers dream analysis with a recounting of a dream strong on religious symbolism that dissolves into the absurd."Bananas" is the young Woody spewing ideas faster than he can censor or refine them. In only a few years he will move into his next phase of writing and directing--with more polished and sophisticated results. Here the viewer can enjoy the riot of ideas that are the basis for Woody's later creations.

Whay isn't slapstick taken seriously? Because the reason it works s because folks take things so seriously. Bananas is a silly foray into the life and silliness of Fielding Melish, a product tester who falls in love with the first girl who knocks at his door, yet she's as neurotic as he. A perfect match? Not for a while, and we get to see why through skits, set ups, and ridiculously immature delivery. For me, this plays like a record with a theme that gets lost throughout but the excursions are funnier than the main plot. While a banana republic being propped up by a U.S. government is laughable conceptually, the small time nature of such a follow through seems only a set up for more gags. All of the rebel camp bits could be translated elsewhere and were in later movies such as the weapon assembly and training camp shenanigans in Love & Death, The Howard Coseel boxing match calls at the opening and closing scenes completely work for me, but your mileage may vary.