Definitely in the top 10 of his best films along with Annie Hall, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Husbands and Wives, Love and Death, Zelig, Sleeper and Stardust Memories and even in the top 5(so far that is, haven't yet seen all of them). That is how great Radio Days is and I'm still kicking myself for taking so long to see it. Radio Days looks wonderful, with the smoky cinematography being some of the most beautiful of any Woody Allen film and the minute period detail is very evocative. The music score is also among the best of any of his films(or at least one of my personal favourites from them), wistful and very catchy with a strong hint of nostalgia, the Radio Days theme is irresistible. Allen's scripts are on the most part very insightful and much of his humour is smart and at its best hilarious. That for Radio Days is one of his smartest with cracking, witty dialogue that makes one laugh and cry and is full of insight, with themes that are explored intelligently and in a way that is easy to identify with. The story cuts seamlessly from family life to the empty glamour of Radioland with no signs of being disjointed, there is not a dull moment and it is certainly among the most heart-warming and charming stories for a Woody Allen film. It has nostalgia written all over it, and I'd go as far to say that Radio Days is one of Allen's most accessible mainly for this reason. Allen directs intelligently and with no signs of smugness, and he draws great performances from his cast. Mia Farrow's performance here is one of her best and she is supported impeccably, especially with Diane Wiest who has the most juicy character(of a film full of interesting and likable, for Allen at least, characters) and gives a performance that is almost the equal of the one she gave in Hannah and Her Sisters. Allen's alter ego characters have always been a very mixed bag when it comes to the acting stakes, with the worst case being Kenneth Branagh in Celebrity, but Seth Green is clearly one of the better examples along with Will Ferrell in Melinda and Melinda, he's funny and charming but also doesn't try to be too much of a pale impersonation. All in all, a Woody Allen masterpiece and one of his finest. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Review of Radio Days
