Don't Drink the Water (TV) | | Cast : | Woody Allen, Julie Kavner | | Director : | Woody Allen | | Studio : | Buena Vista Home Vid | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned | | Released Date : | December 18, 1994 | | DVD Released Date : | July 06, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 10, 2005 | | Summary | A very surprisingly average comedy. | Content
 | `Don't Drink the Water', directed by Woody Allen and based on a Broadway play by Allen is distinctly different from most of his other films due to its dated and just ordinarily funny plot and jokes.
As amazing as it may be to say this, almost all of Allen's movies hold up extremely well over time. There seem to be no serious dependencies on the events of the day. Even Zellig, which takes place in a definite time in history, stands up as well as, for example, `Casablanca' or `The Godfather' based on the durability of the story. The movie under consideration, however, depends a lot on early cold war situations as they may have played out in an American embassy in Prague, Budapest, or Warsaw in the early sixties. Much of the background depends on the pre-Cuban Missile Crisis Kennedy administration. Even the title pictures Eastern Europe as not much more advanced in public sanitation as a Banana Republic, let alone our favorite target of such jokes, Mexico.
I believe this movie, which may have been made for television, was filmed relatively recently, probably after Michael J. Fox left `Family Ties' and while or before he began his last TV series before retiring due to Parkinson's Disease. I have strong suspicions, however, that the play was written in the early sixties, not too long after the time in which the play takes place.
One result of this being an adaptation from a stage play is that there is little or none of Allen's visual humor. All on screen business is written to be done on a stage with one scene on stage at a time. There are also practically none of Allen's favorite topics and plot tricks. This is nothing more than a stage comedy, and virtually none of Allen's other movies are `nothing more than stage comedies'.
That does not mean this is not funny. Allen is as good a joke writer as he ever was. It's just that the movie doesn't engage our interest. Compared to, for example, two average Allen movies, `Shadows and Fog' and `A Midsummer's Night Sex Comedy', the characters simply don't sustain our interest. This may be due in part to weaker acting by Fox, Kavner, DeLuise, and Herrmann, when compared to Mia Farrow, John Malkovich, Jose Ferrer, and Tony Roberts, but I don't think so, as the principle's are pretty well cast into parts for which they are eminently suited. Julie Kavner, for example, plays almost exactly the same role as she does in the excellent `Radio Days'.
Even the plot resolution and the minor love interest are predictable.
So, while I am a great Woody Allen fan, I suggest this is one of the very few of his works you can pass up without feeling any sense of loss. It is enjoyable to watch once, but it has little staying power.
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| Rating | | | Date | March 02, 2005 | | Summary | Hysterical! | Content
| From their entrance into the American Embassy to their exit, the Hollanders are a handful. It's funny just watching Michael J. Fox's character attempting to deal with all the craziness that occurs as soon as they arrive. I don't know where Woody Allen comes up with such interesting storylines for his movies; the set ups are completely unique, and they pave the way for such easy and instant laughter. I rarely choose to check out movies that I haven't seen before because I'm always wanting to watch my favorites again & again, like this one. |
| Rating | | | Date | November 18, 2004 | | Summary | A little uneven, but many hilarious moments | Content
| Somehat uneven and not as tight in terms of plot as many other Allen films -- basically more of a setup (wacky family seeking asylum in embassy) to let the jokes roll -- but many laugh-out-loud moments and gags. I often find Dom DeLuise to be just too much, but here he shows a little restraint and gets the priest character just right. His "priest" has a network of intelligence behind him, & he telephones them with "subtle" coded messages such as, "The boy with the blue hair is fondling a chipmunk." He also performs some of the best magic routines I've ever seen; best because they are so hilariously stupid. ROFLMAO to see him giving the tricks away either as he's performing them or immediately afterward, when he casually put down the "secret" prop or whatever in plain view.
Great laughs, easy to watch -- Allen gives us one of his lowbrow characters rather than his intellectual neurotic types.
Enjoy! |
| Rating | | | Date | November 15, 2004 | | Summary | Hilarious, Laugh-Out-Loud Movie!! | Content
| Let me preface this review by saying that I have NEVER been a Woody Allen fan. I had seen some of his earlier movies and just never got into them. However, I got hold of a copy of "Manhattan Murder Mystery" with Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Angelica Huston and, of course, Woody. I have just about worn it out because I've watched it over and over. I went to the video store and browsed through their Woody Allen titles and saw "Don't Drink the Water". I decided to give it a try since I like Dom Deloise, Julie Kavner and Michael J. Fox. Let me tell you, there are very few movies I see that make me truly laugh out loud - this one did. The entire premise of the movie is so funny. Woody takes his wife and daughter on a vacation to Russia (who goes to Russia for a vacation!?!), does the usual tourist routine, and ends up being chased by KGB agents because they think Woody and family are spies! Woody was taking pictures of the sunset and he must have photographed something that would make the agents think he was spying. Anyway, Woody and family take off running and go to the American Embassy in Russia to seek asylum. And believe me, the place is an asylum. Michael J. is the son of the Ambassador. The Ambassador has to return to Washington, D.C. and reluctantly leaves the embassy in Michael J.'s hands (Michael has been pretty much a screw-up all of his life) so his father doesn't trust him. As soon as Woody and family reach the embassy the fun begins. There is an Italian priest, played by Dom Deloise, who had to seek asylum at the embassy and has been there for years. He's really into magic tricks and thinks he's a real pro. The embassy chef cooks all kinds of exotic foods that drive Woody nuts (Woody is a New Jersey caterer) and Woody and the chef have an ongoing battle. The daughter falls for Michael J., the mother, Julie Kavner, ends up taking over the housekeeping at the embassy, a visiting Middle Eastern dignitary arrives and...just watch this movie! There is so much I can't begin to tell it all but trust me if you like just good old fashioned comedy you'll enjoy this. I highly recommend it - that's why I came to Amazon to find a copy because you can't find it at local video stores to buy. Every time I watch it I see something that sets me off laughing. If this movie does not make you laugh you have a serious problem with your funnybone!! |
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