SCENES FROM A MALL (1990) ** I like the idea of Woody Allen doing Kafka in California . Unfortunately there's too much California and too little Kafka. Woody Allen's character isn't nearly as bright or witty or handsome as he is; and Bette Midler's character lacks her talent and charm. Woody does carry around a surfboard throughout the film, which is kind of funny, and sports a very modest ponytail. But they were going for something beyond funny. Just not sure what it was. I guess the film has some pithy cereal box psychology on what to do in some limited failing marriages, but I'm not sure, and would expect a lot more than that from the principals. Extended segments of the film are just dull, though something moderately amusing eventually happens to.not snap it out of the doldrums so much as back them off like a small child playing lion-tamer with his cat. The best bit is when Fabio's standing in an elevator. He's doesn't do anything, he's just being Fabio. Well, at least that's one of them, then!
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