Sleeper (1973) - Film Review.

Woody Allen plays the part of Miles Monroe, a down-trodden chemist from 1973, who has been involved in an accident which necessitated him being frozen for 200 years. He is now woken and has to come to terms with his new surroundings, the huge technological advances of the last 200 years and the changes in people. These are all too much for him and he struggles to cope. Additionally he becomes involved in a rebel plot to oust the ruling government. He is in deep - way above his head!

During his adventure he wins over Luna, a female hostage he is forced to take, played very well by Diane Keaton. Initially very scared by her captor's strange ways she comes to enjoy his company. Perhaps they will find an alternative to the universally accepted "Orgasmotron" which replaces physical contact in this new Utopia?

After being invited into the underground movement Miles embarks on a dangerous mission which, if successful, will stop the president of the new world being cloned.

Sleeper is the film which I would consider to be Woody Allen's finest work. It is genuinely funny, well filmed and the comic acting is top class. Diane Keaton is especially funny also. A science fiction story helped me enjoy the film although it is not technical enough to put you off if sci-fi isn't your thing. It's just a peg to hang the plot on.

Factoid: Woody Allen confirmed the feasibility of his scientific ideas with the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov.

The script makes fun of many sections of society. The Jewish tailor-robots were particularly amusing, one being voiced by Jackie Mason.

The leisuretime-rich population enjoy endless dinner parties. Even their sex lives are catered for with the provision of Orgasmotrons and Pleasure Spheres which are handed around as one would a "jazz-cigarette".

Random Fact: The futuristic home featured in the film was offered for sale in 2004 for 10 million dollars.
Truth-nugget: Final editing of the film was only completed 2 days before the film's release.

The excitement offered by Miles' escape is enjoyed by Luna and this gives the excuse for what is really the best part of the film - the interaction between Miles and Luna. This leads to some excellent scenes, a personal favourite being one involving Woody Allen's portrayal of Blanche Du Bois from "A Street Car Named Desire" whom he temporarily believes himself to be.

The overall filming style is somewhere between Logan's Run and Mr Bean. Always ludicrous but never churlish.

Factual Interjection: The clarinet parts in the soundtrack are played by Woody Allen himself.

While some Woody Allen films are overrated in my opinion, for example, "Take the Money and Run", this is 90 minutes of genuine, well-written comedy.

Highly recommended.

8/10

Review written by Mark Woods, April 2009. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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