Allen's first masterpiece

Rating: 8/10 (11 August 2006)

Woody's first mature film after the early funny ones breaks new ground with its interesting technique of having characters talk to earlier versions of themselves that they visit in flashbacks. He also has the characters voice their inner thoughts to funny effects. It was rightfully acclaimed at the time of its release. In retrospect, this film is still wonderful but has lost some of its edge because the remarkably prolific Allen has since made a number of films that are equally good and at least one, "Manhattan," that is better. There are a number great lines but the most famous line from this movie will always be the one uttered by Keaton in the title role: "La-di-da."