Dreams of a seducer

Dreams of a Seducer (original English title Play It Again, Sam) is a 1972 American comedy film written by and starring by Woody Allen, based on his 1969 Broadway play Play It Again, Sam. The film was directed by Herbert Ross, rather than Allen, who usually directs his own written play.

The film is about a recently divorced film critic, Allan Felix, who is urged by his best friend and his wife to start dating again. Allan identifies with the 1942 film Casablanca and the character Rick Blaine played by Humphrey Bogart. The film is liberally peppered with clips from the movie and ghostly apparitions of Bogart (Jerry Lacy) giving advice on how to treat women.

Plot

Set in San Francisco, Dreams of a Seducer begins with the final scenes of Casablanca, featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The main character, Allan Felix, is seen watching the film in a theater, his mouth hanging open. He leaves the theater lamenting that he will never be like Rick.

Allan just went through a messy divorce. His best friend, Dick Christie, and Dick's wife, Linda, try to convince him to date women again, setting him up for a series of blind dates, all of which end badly. Throughout the film, he is seen receiving dating advice from Bogart's ghost, which is only visible and audible to Allan. Allan's ex-wife Nancy also makes fantasy appearances, as he imagines conversations with her about the breakdown of her marriage, in which Nancy constantly ridicules her sexual inadequacy. On one occasion, the fantasy seems to get out of hand, with both Bogart and Nancy appearing.

When it comes to women, Allan tries to be sexy and sophisticated; in particular, he tries to be like his idol, Bogart, only to end up ruining his chances by being too clumsy. Eventually, he develops feelings for Linda, with whom he is relatively comfortable and doesn't feel the need to put on a mask. Just as he finally makes his move on Linda (aided by Bogart's comments), a vision of his ex-wife appears and shoots Bogart, leaving him without advice. He then makes an awkward move. Linda runs off but comes back and realizes that Allan loves her. The song "As Time Goes By" and flashes from Casablanca accompany her kiss.

However, their relationship is doomed, just as it was for Rick and Ilsa in Casablanca. Dick returns early from Cleveland and confides in Allan that he thinks Linda is having an affair, not realizing that her affair is with Allan. Dick expresses his love for Linda to Allan.

The ending is an allusion to the famous ending of Casablanca. Dick is taking a flight to Cleveland, Linda is chasing him, and Allan is chasing Linda. The fog, the starting plane engines, the trench coats and the dialogue are reminiscent of the movie, as Allan nobly explains to Linda why she has to go with her husband, instead of staying with him.

Allan quotes a closing line from Casablanca, saying: “If that plane takes off and you're not on it, you'll regret it; maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.» "That's beautiful," Linda says, prompting Allan to admit, "It's from Casablanca.... I've waited my whole life to say it!" His journey is complete. Bogart reappears and praises him, saying that since he has now learned to be himself, he no longer needs him for advice. The music from the Casablanca scene picks up the theme "As Time Goes By", and ends the film.

Cast

• Woody Allen like Allan Felix, a recently divorced neurotic writer.
• Diane Keaton as Linda Christie, Dick's wife, who Allan falls in love with.
• Tony Roberts like Dick Christie, Allan's best friend and Linda's husband, a businessman addicted to real estate work.
• Jerry Lacy as Humphrey Bogart.
• Susan Anspach like Nancy, Allan's ex-wife.
• Jennifer Salt like Sharon.
• Joy Bang like Julie.
• Live like Jennifer.

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman appear in Casablanca archive footage as Richard "Rick" Blaine and Ilsa Lund, respectively.

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 97% of reviews from 35 critics are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10.

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the film, giving it three out of four stars, saying, "As comedies go, this one's a lot of fun." He explained and concluded: “Maybe the movie has too much coherence and the plot is too predictable; that's a weakness of movies based on well-made Broadway plays. Still, that's not a serious complaint about something as funny as Dreams of a Seducer".

Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune also gave it three out of four stars, writing: "For those who prefer their films with a beginning, middle, and end, and were consequently disturbed by the infernal plots of 'Bananas' or 'Take the Money and Run', 'Dreams of a Seducer' It will deliver warmth, sanity, and an offbeat story with laughs."

Vincent Canby of The New York Times called it "a very funny film", although he felt that "the form of the ordinary Broadway comedy, with three acts and a beginning, middle and end, they inhibit the Woody Allen that I, at least, most appreciate."

Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film was "in the tradition of the best brilliant comedies of the past, full of funny lines and situations, but supported and enriched by a recognizable character." and accurately perceived whose very consistency provides the logic for crazy events and an enduring power for laughter."

David McGillivray of The Monthly Film Bulletin called it "a treat for Woody Allen fans and a pretty funny comedy that's unobjectionable to everyone else", though he thought it "barely improves" the film. original work.

Influence

Quentin Tarantino said on his commentary track for True Romance (1993) that the character of Elvis Presley played by Val Kilmer, who appears to Christian Slater's character and gives him advice and reassurance, was based on the character of Bogart in this film.

Tunng's 2005 song "Beautiful and Light" contains samples from the film.

The Second City comedy troupe's television show SCTV spoofed the film as Play It Again, Bob, starring Allen (Rick Moranis) and Bob Hope (Dave Thomas).