story of emmet ray, the second greatest guitarist in the world and his own worst enemy...

Rating: 8/10 (2 August 2005)

I wouldn't read too much into the "ted G" "sweet" review placing so much emphasis on the movie as an autobiography. Woody does instill much personal resonance into his films, but its to his credit as a storyteller that he concocts such a gem in the standard misfit as our hero genre of film, an approach that seldom garners critics approval. The film is a beautiful celebration of the individual spirit; one whose rich storytelling belies an artistic spirit without compromise, unafraid to pursue an iconoclastic narrative of self-deprecating humour. The film can also be commended for revitalizing the music of legendary Django Reinhardt, and that particular era of swing jazz in general, rounding out, in vein of allen's earlier "broadway danny rose", the story of the consummate, uncompromising 100% artist. Bravo.