Everyone Says I Love You

That being said, also allow me to say that this film was one of my favorite films of the last ten years. From the very first song until the song-and-dance at the end, I couldn't stop smiling. The film was utterly delightful and harkened back to the golden days of the movie musical, where the fun and the the spirit of the musical were more important than big budget stereophonic extravaganzas. Woody Allen uses a whole batch of classic-if-somewhat-forgotten tunes to complement his light and fluffy love story. Practically everyone in the movie is given a chance to sing (except Drew Barrymore, who was dubbed). Some are better than others, but the overall effect is quite magical. My favorite tune was the simple ballad that Alan Alda sings to Goldie Hawn during their characters' anniversary. It was touching and just quite romantic. And it's quite amusing (in a good way) to watch Edward Norton(!) and Tim Roth(! ) sing. This is easily one of the best musicals to come out in an extremely long time. As for Woody Allen, he plays...Woody Allen, but for once, I didn't mind at all. I was simply too enthralled by the spell his film was casting over me.

As for the DVD, the transfer is quite acceptable. The picture looks good, and the sound, while monophonic, is crystal clear. Unfortunately, the DVD doesn't have an extras at all (typical of the early Disney DVDs). If the lack of extras doesn't bother you, and you love musicals as much as I do, then by all means get "Everyone Says I Love You" and you'll thank me!


Move Over Baz Lurhman, Woody Allen Coming Through!   October 27, 2001
azindn (Arizona, USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I must preface my remarks by admitting I never liked Woody Allen films, his humor and neurotic little guy characterization are simply unfunny -- but, after viewing Everyone Says I Love You, I've changed my mind.

A film that harkens to the wacky musical genre of the past, the outstanding performances by a stellar cast including Allen Alda, Goldie Hawn, Ed Norton, Tim Roth, Julia Roberts, and Drew Barrymore, is nostalgic and entertaining for today's audiences. Singing and dancing, whining and wineing, the film utilizes New York's spectacular seasonal changes, the romantic canals of Venice, and the beauty of nightime Paris to stage this somewhat simple storyline of boy loves girl, girl is more neurotic than boy, and the libral Democratats are more neurotic and simple than all the film's boys and girls.

Enjoyable perhaps because Allen does not center the story on himself in every scene, I found myself liking the implausible situations as actors broke into songs of love, which no matter what the setting, seemed thoroughly appropriate for the dramatic situation. I loved watching Goldie Hawn dancing with her nebbish partner Allen along the banks of the Seine. Her gravity defying graceful steps were matched by the equally graceful Allen. Alan Alda's serenade to his wife at their anniversary party was both touching and a good rendition. And, Allen's hysterical New Year's Groucho Marx theme party and musical review had me in tears laughing. The wit and droll humor of tranlating familiar songs into foreign languages is a brilliant juxtiposition of expectation and surrealism.

This is a wonderful film to spend the afternoon or evening, and while sentimental films are not usually my cup of tea, I found myself enjoying the romantic Allen film moreso than the visual, energetic angst and splendid efforts of the recent Baz Lurhmann musical, Moulin Rouge. Both directors approach to the musical genre is respectful of the great choreographers and songwriters of the past. However, the differing styles each director brings to the subject is worth consideration. Everyone Says I Love You is perhaps a bit less energetic and overt, but is equally satisfying as Moulin Rouge. In finding myself enjoying Allen's approach to the musical, I will now look to his other work with a new interest and respect.


Diverting, fun, and wonderfully shallow   June 27, 2002
Dennis Littrell (SoCal)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

Woody Allen courts Julia Roberts. (I wonder if Woody writes his own dialogue these days or just chalks it in and improvises. Maybe he gives a signal to the other actor(s) that it's their turn.) Yes, I am eating my heart out, but believe it or not-and I swear this is true and Julia Roberts herself will vouch for this-she was once courted by an orangutang. True story. You could look it up. It was a PBS special. I'm serious. You think I could make up something like this? She even held a baby orangutang in her arms and he...well, let's just say he wasn't wearing a diaper. I kid you not.

Anyway, this is a kind of satirical take off on Broadway musicals, but half on the square. It features a lot of show tunes and dance numbers, some beautifully choreographed. Goldie sings, Alan Alda sings, Julia sings and of course Woody sings. (Drew is dubbed, I understand). Ed Norton also sings, but the difference is, he's actually good. Goldie Hawn is the mom, Woody is her ex and Alan Alda is her current. They are all rich and privileged and spend their time in places like New York and Paris and Venice. Goldie is a flaming, bleeding heart liberal who thinks that prisons ought to have a cuisine at least, and Alda is an establishment lawyer and doctrinaire liberal. His son consequently devours the National Review and is a member of the National Rifle Association, and thinks that welfare mothers ought to get a job, etc. Woody Allen is Woody Allen of course. I haven't seen one of his films in decades, but watching him put the moves on Julia brings back memories. You almost believe it. In fact, you DO believe it. And lament.

Tim Roth plays an ex-con, just released from prison, invited to a family dinner by Goldie. (Extended family dinners involving kids and grandparents and eccentric relatives stirred by light-hearted family politics are a staple of the Woody Allen canon, as I recall.) Roth's "animal" magnetism, and his "interesting" kiss entice Drew away from her intended (at least temporarily). The story is narrated by Woody and Goldie's daughter (Natalie Portman, I presume), who finds herself falling in and out of puppy love with the regularity of the rising sun. Everything is played as a light satire of the intended audience, a technique perfected by Oscar Wilde in his play, The Importance of Being Earnest over a century ago. In a sense Woody Allen's effort amounts to a gentle massage of psyche of the New York liberal establishment.

Some highlights: The Marx Brothers song and dance number done en francaise near the Seine in Paris allowing Woody to do a fine Groucho impersonation; Drew's peach satin dress; Julia jogging in Venice; the intensive care unit choreography; mannequins coming to life in song and dance..

All in all, there's some cute fun had with Broadway show traditions, people breaking into song at odd moments, mostly standards from the pre-rock and roll era, e.g., "My Baby Just Cares for Me," "Making Whoopie," (yes, that is where Whoopie Goldberg got her moniker), and the beautiful "I'm Through with Love," (sung not badly by Goldie Hawn), a few good gags, a cute cast--enough of interest to divert one after an afternoon of hard-core shopping at Neiman-Marcus and Sak's Fifth Avenue.


Careful what you ask for   June 30, 2004
K. Gittins (CA USA)
7 out of 18 found this review helpful

I got this movie to satisfy my curiosity. The concept sounded interesting, and it boasted some normally bankable (or at least watchable) cast. Unfortunately, I did not care for the film. Oh, it was well made, and had fair acting, but it just failed to interest me. The songs were not very catchy tunes, like say, something from a "real" musical like "Fiddler on the Roof", "The King and I", or "My Fair Lady", etc. Drew Barrymore had a large part, but was in the lower range of acting, and her singing was dubbed. Natalie and Gaby were under used. Alan Alda and Goldie had decent voices, but again, weak songs.

I had a hard time swallowing Julia and Woody as a couple - though she did say she was crazy - did I miss something else? The most interesting part was seeing two MASH alumni in the same scene for about 10 seconds. For those who don't know why it was rated R, it is because of the rap lyrics. No other swearing or nudity.

I'm being generous with 3 stars. It seemed to be a personal experiment rather than a committed movie. Oh, well - curiosity satified. Waiting for "Take the Money and Run" to arrive.


everyone should watch this movie..   November 17, 2000
Eileen Visconte (new york city)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

Even though I do not know too much of Woody Alen movies, I truly enjoyed this film. I really enjoyed every moment! I found myself smiling at the screen, and laughing at certain moments. I really enjoyed all of the musical numbers, and I am sure you would as well. Each musical number is put together wonderfully; the singing and dancing really are great to listen to and watch. The two numbers which stood out to me the most are when Woody Allen and Goldie Hawn are dancing together and also when Edward Norton is at the jewelery store.. just wait and you'll see! It really is a great movie to watch. I know I wouldn't mind watching it again! You can get confy and cozy and even watch it with the one you love.