When Scenes from A Mall was released in 1991, it was noteworthy as the first film Woody Allen agreed to act in without writing or directing himself since The Front 15 years prior in 1976.
Also adding Bette Midler as his co-star and them playing a married couple, writer-director Paul Mazursky who made some good movies Down and Out in Beverly Hills for instance the movie just seemed like it couldn't miss for anyone that was a fan of one if not all of the three big talents involved.
Unfortunately the movie flopped critically and barely made a box-office profit, it tripled its box office earnings considering it's small budget but was still not a box office success by any means.
My first time viewing it I really despised this film and I was only willing to give it another shot because I have been binge watching more of Woody Allen's other films lately.
The movie isnt quite as bad as I remembered it but it really just isnt all that funny either.
There are a couple funny jokes especially with Woody Allen embracing southern California lifestyle, as we all know his love is for New York in his own movies so that is slightly amusing.
There is also another funny scene in a movie theater but it isnt all that funny and is sort of a take of a funnier scene Mazursky did better in Down and Out in Beverly Hills.
The movie is watchable at minimum and Midler and Allen have ok chemistry for the most part. The biggest problem though is that its just not that funny, and Mazursky recycles a lot of the jokes about Los Angeles culture he used to far better advantage in Down and Out.
The movie is not as bad as its reputation but it's still a huge missed opportunity. Woody Allen should have stepped in and given Mazursky a hand writing this, I feel it could have been a lot funnier if so.
If you like any of the talent I would say it's worth one watch and you should be able to make it through the whole movie but the actors and director have made far better films. This could have been a true bulls-eye with much better writing.
Also adding Bette Midler as his co-star and them playing a married couple, writer-director Paul Mazursky who made some good movies Down and Out in Beverly Hills for instance the movie just seemed like it couldn't miss for anyone that was a fan of one if not all of the three big talents involved.
Unfortunately the movie flopped critically and barely made a box-office profit, it tripled its box office earnings considering it's small budget but was still not a box office success by any means.
My first time viewing it I really despised this film and I was only willing to give it another shot because I have been binge watching more of Woody Allen's other films lately.
The movie isnt quite as bad as I remembered it but it really just isnt all that funny either.
There are a couple funny jokes especially with Woody Allen embracing southern California lifestyle, as we all know his love is for New York in his own movies so that is slightly amusing.
There is also another funny scene in a movie theater but it isnt all that funny and is sort of a take of a funnier scene Mazursky did better in Down and Out in Beverly Hills.
The movie is watchable at minimum and Midler and Allen have ok chemistry for the most part. The biggest problem though is that its just not that funny, and Mazursky recycles a lot of the jokes about Los Angeles culture he used to far better advantage in Down and Out.
The movie is not as bad as its reputation but it's still a huge missed opportunity. Woody Allen should have stepped in and given Mazursky a hand writing this, I feel it could have been a lot funnier if so.
If you like any of the talent I would say it's worth one watch and you should be able to make it through the whole movie but the actors and director have made far better films. This could have been a true bulls-eye with much better writing.