I'm a big fan of Woody Allen. While his films often have something wrong with them, you can always count on a good time and a laugh while you're watching - and that's certainly what you get here! Woody Allen films are always best when Woody himself stars in them; his neurotic persona is a great base for laughs, and he certainly delivers in this film! For some reason, Woody Allen chose not to direct this film himself and Herbert Ross has got that job. Due to the cast, and Woody's script, however, this is very much another Woody Allen flick, no matter who is in the director's chair. This film also features the first screen pairing of Allen and Diane Keaton, who would, of course, go on to make Allen's masterpiece 'Annie Hall', along with Tony Roberts, who also co-stars here. The plot of the movie plays out like a tribute to Casablanca, and it sees recently dumped Allen falling in love with his best friend's wife, all the while under the watchful eye of the great Humphrey Bogart, whom he sees in his daydreams.

The humour in this film is awesome and also amazingly funny. Scenes that see Woody Allen blunder his way through dates are hilarious, and Allen's dialogue is at its dry and witty peak. The scene in which he tells of a fight he had with two 'hairdressers' being an excellent example of his writing. Allen tends to play the same sort of character in all of his films, and the one here shows him doing that again. This would be a problem, if he weren't so amazingly good at it. As the man festers in his own pathos; we can really believe it, and this gives the film a great sense of believability and also offers up a prime example of Allen acting at his best. The film isn't a complete one-man show, however, as the underrated Tony Roberts, along with Diane Keaton also give grand performances. The movie tributes in the film are many, with most pointing to the great Casablanca - and this is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. On the whole, this is an intelligent, entertaining and hilarious movie from one of cinema's best comedians. Highly recommended!

In San Francisco, the neurotic, awkward and clumsy film critic Allan (Woody Allen) that is a fan of "Casablanca" is left by his wife Nancy (Susan Anspach) that is tired of their boring life. His friends Linda (Diane Keaton) and her husband Dick (Tony Roberts) try to help him finding available acquaintances to date him. Allan is advised by his alter ego Bogart (Jerry Lacy) how to behave with women, but Allan is too weird and the women never go in a second date with him. Soon Allan finds that he is in love with Linda, but Dick is his best friend and he does not want to make a move despite Bogart advices.

"Play It Again, Sam" is one of the best romantic comedies by Woody Allen in the beginning of his successful career. I saw this movie for the first time when I was still discovering Woody Allen and last time I had seen was on VHS on 12 November 2000 and I have just seen it again on a DVD recently released in Brazil. The neurotic Allan is hilarious and his discussions with Linda about neurosis and medicines, and his jitters with his dates are very funny. It is curious also to see the typical New Yorker Woody Allen filming in San Francisco. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Sonhos de um Sedutor" ("Dreams of a Seductor")

This is an old fashioned Woody Allen film (in other words it's funny). It's got a much more coherent plot than any of his era--with a much more conventional format. While I like the extreme silliness of these earlier starring films, I also see this as a welcome change and his most personally engaging film--it really has a lot of heart.

Woody plays a nerdy guy (what else?) who is obsessed with Humphrey Bogart films. He loves them so much that Bogie himself often stops by to give him advice! These moments are wonderful and the actor imitating Bogart is spot on! Well, for some odd reason, his wife doesn't like Woody and leaves (gee, he sounds like the perfect guy, huh?). His married friends, Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts come to give him support and try to set him up with various ladies (none of which comes even close to working out). However, over time, it becomes obvious to everyone except Woody and Diane that THEY would make a great couple. Even Bogie comes to tell Woody to make the moves on his friend's wife! Well, here is where the plot begins to look more and more like CASABLANCA--a natural considering Bogie's in this film, too! Well, I'll stop my review here because I DON'T want to spoil the picture. It's cute, coherent and well worth seeing.

PS--a great scene involves Bogie having a showdown with Woody's ex-wife. It's a riot, though in general this movie has more subtlety and less laugh out loud laughs than his previous films but it all works together so well, it's not a problem.