Woody the Robber

Take the Money and Run (1969)

Woody Allen, directs, writes and stars in this crazy movie where he exploits visual humour to a such a successful degree of hilarity. Allen as the character Virgil Starkwell indulges in self pity, the film acts as a mockumentary of the 'trials and tribulations' of his life since birth which makes his descent into a life of crime inevitable but also funny because he is the most unlikely person. It is also sweet to see a romance between a fumbling Starkwell who expresses his usual inability to secure love as a result of a troubled upbringing. The compliant girl (Janet Margolin) delivers some funny moments too - as she strives to function like a good wife yet fails completely when she fries the steak whilst it is still in the packet.

The jokes of the films are typical of Allen's style, the juxtaposition of images and personalities, awkward mumblings and visual incongruence. It almost replicates the typically British comedic style of standoffish characters in funny, compromising situations. Allen makes you feel sorry for his situation and his pitiful exploits in crime. His trivial attitude to crime and at some points people's reactions to crime make this a witty film. 

However, this was Woody Allen's directing debut and you get a feel of him being a novice as he does bombard the viewer with gags, as if he has a checklist of ingredients required to make this movie absurd. This recipe is sucessful. The film is crazy in the sense the impossible occurs far too many times for it to be the best sort of comedy with obvious gags and more subtle skits also. The 'impossible' has the feel of a Marx bros film, whereby fast talking skits are relayed almost too fast for you to understand immediately, but then you experience a delayed reaction of laughter/awe when the joke is just too funny/clever.


Woody Allen has a distinctive style with his large square glasses that magnify his eyes creating his 'rabbit caught in the headlight' expression. His slightly hunched, hands in pocket, dejected swagger whilst wearing a Harrington jacket is cool specially with the atmosphere and lighting that is concurrent with the 60s look. Plus, the blue jail shirts and jeans similar to the uniform in Shawshank Redemption show how that style influences fashion today.  Janet Margolin seems innocent and pure with her childlike middle parting so it makes the relationship all the more adorable as Woody bounces off her less embellished personality.

You have to be tuned to the Woody Allen sense of humour (just pretty quirky) to get all the jokes.

***