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Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Jerry Lacy, Susan Anspach ... see more see more... , Jennifer Salt , Joy Bang , Diana Davila , Mari Fletcher , Michael Greene , Ted Markland , Viva , Suzanne Zenor , Herbert Ross

Herbert Ross directed this adaptation of Woody Allen's hit Broadway play concerning a shy film critic who has trouble with women. Woody Allen plays Allan Felix, a writer for Film Quarterly consumed by... read more read more... movies, particularly his favorite film of all time, Casablanca. At the start of the film, Allan's wife Nancy (Susan Anspach) has just left him and is applying for a divorce. Unable to deal with this emotional turmoil, Allan seeks solace in the movies he loves, imagining Humphrey Bogart (Jerry Lacy) has dropped by his apartment to offer Allan advice on dealing with the ladies ("Dames are simple. I never met one that didn't understand a slap in the mouth or a slug from a forty-five"). Helping Allan meet new women are his good friends Dick (Tony Roberts) and Linda Christie (Diane Keaton). Dick and Linda fix him up with a succession of dates, all of which end disastrously because of Allan's nervousness and insecurity. Finally, Allan realizes that he has been spending more time with Linda than anyone else and he is becoming attracted to her -- she's the only woman he truly feels comfortable around. Linda proves unexpectedly receptive to Allan's advances, since Dick's workaholic ways leave Linda neglected and ignored. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

86% liked it

10,075 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

32 critics

PG, 1 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: Herbert Ross

Release Date: May 4, 1972

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DVD Release Date: October 23, 2001

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Stats: 522 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (522)

  • garyX
    March 21, 2012
    garyX
    A neurotic film critic with an obsession with Bogart is divorced by his wife and so spends all of his time with friends who unsuccessfully try to set him up with a variety of women. A long, long time ago (we're talking geological time scales here), before he became a morally susp... read moreect and unbearably pretentious narcissist, Woody Allen was a very funny man. Play It Again, Sam is easily his most charming and funny film in my opinion, using the simple premise of a terminally self-conscious guy who has to come to terms with the ups and downs of the dating scene while comparing the celluloid image of "masculinity" with its realities. Its genuinely witty script is full of really nicely observed comedy and very funny one liners and makes me wonder how it all went wrong. I really enjoyed this film and considering my personal loathing of the man, that's quite a statement.
  • moonrivers
    December 24, 2011
    moonrivers
    Woody Allen in a film (based on his hit Broadway play) about a guy who loves film but cannot reconcile the differences between reel life and real life. His wife has just left him and he can't seem to get a break, but he does get advice - from film - well, from Bogie in particular... read more. If you've reviewed, say, 500 films on this site ... this film is for you.
  • axadntpron
    April 9, 2011
    axadntpron
    A great little Woody Allen gem. While a little over the top in some scenes, Allen displays an uncanny knack for physical humor. Not only did this movie provide some really hearty laughs, but it also gives us a glimpse into the powerful chemistry that Keaton & Allen have on screen... read more and would utilize in future pictures. It also works as a beautiful love letter to film, an idea he would explore further in his own film The Purple Rose of Cairo. It is funny, affectionate, and an absolute joy to experience.
  • jennifxu
    December 24, 2008
    jennifxu
    This is such an early Woody Allen film yet it's one of the most polished. (Polished in the sense of a whole movie, not polished in the sense that it barely has any plot...not that it matters.) I was VERY impressed by this adaptation from the play too: it attains a very dynamic fe... read moreel as it moves seamlessly from movie to real life and the Bogart fantasy scenes merge perfectly with Allan's real troubles. As a play it was probably one thing, but as a movie it flowed very organically from stage to screen. I don't think it explores the themes as in depth as it could have - it basically only grazes topics of affair ethics, and fantasy vs reality, and love, and hypochondria - but surface movies aren't all bad. A relaxing, light experience with heavy Woody characteristics. Also, love Diane Keaton's outfits.
  • mjgildea
    November 23, 2006
    mjgildea
    Funny. Like Woody Allen lite.
  • DocHalister
    February 4, 2012
    DocHalister
    Woody Allen's best pure film comedy. He did not direct it, F.Y.I., but wrote the play it's based on, and stars in it. Allen resonates so well with co-stars Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts that he recruits them for several of his later films.
  • Lemure
    May 28, 2010
    Lemure
    Here Woody Allen remakes Casablanca Woody Allen style...so he plays a neurotic film buff who falls in love with his best friends wife. An imaginary Bogart is on hand to give advice, and the script is typically Allen. How much you'll enjoy it depends on how much you like Woody Allen.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    June 24, 2009
    Doctor0Quinzel
    I was okay, not being a fan of Casablanca might have turn me off initially
  • evilralphwiggum
    April 9, 2012
    evilralphwiggum
    I adore this movie... and now I am in love with Diane Keaton. Hahaha. Maybe it is Woody Allen's fault. So... I've been sitting on this movie for years. I've had it in my collection but hadn't watched it til tonight. For anyone who has seen Casablanca (and my goodness if you like ... read moremovies you need to see Casablanca), for anyone who has seen that movie this movie is a must see. It has come to my attention that Woody Allen is to comedy/romantic comedy/whatever category his movies are put into as Hitchcock is to Suspense. I can't get enough of his movies. Also this movie has reminded me that I have seen a lot of Ingrid Bergman films and hadn't realized just how many I had seen until now, hahaha. Here's looking at you kid.
  • turtlemyth
    December 7, 2010
    turtlemyth
    I'm not sure anything can quite measure up to the original but Play it again, Sam is a comedic movie about a man who can't find the right girl. No real funny or laugh out loud moments, this movie will keep you slightly entertained.

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Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce
March 15, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

The cinephile's dilemma (i.e., the "watcher" versus the "doer"), with a nifty central gag Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 22, 2010
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Vintage Woody Allen. Full Review

Matthew Sorrento
July 10, 2008
Matthew Sorrento, IdentityTheory

Apart from its fantastic elements, Woody's script of Sam finds a deft blend of the comic and romantic. Full Review

Mark Bourne
April 5, 2006
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com

... an affable situation comedy focused on its characters and an extramarital romance that's no more tawdry than white wine served in a red-wine glass. Full Review

Steve Crum
December 28, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Stagey Woody Allen film with Humphrey Bogart spectre for laughs.

Alex Sandell
June 10, 2004
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

I was laughing so hard, it was difficult to breathe.

James O'Ehley
April 16, 2004
James O'Ehley, Movie Gurus

Anyone who has anguished over whether to put on Bartok or Oscar Peterson to impress visitors should check this one out . . . Full Review

Ken Hanke
November 20, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

It's not bad, but Woody is definitely better at directing himself.

John Esther
October 3, 2002
John Esther, Pasadena Weekly

Amusing early Allen

Pablo Villaca
September 19, 2002
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Um roteiro excepcionalmente engraçado de Woody Allen, que também oferece uma atuação formidável.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Play It Again, Sam Trivia

  • The line, "Play it again, Sam," never actually appears in the movie Casablanca. It does, however, appear in which Marx Brothers movie?  Answer »
  • In the movie Casablanca, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) asks the piano player Sam (Louie Armstrong) to "play....."   Answer »
  • In 'Casablanca', Humphrey Bogart instructed the piano player to "Play it again, Sam."  Answer »
  • In this 1942 North African film, Humphrey Bogart is credited with quotation, "Play it again Sam" to pianist Dooly Wilson. It refers to his previous love affair with Ingrid Bergman and song "You must remember this...". Movie is __  Answer »
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