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Zelig (1983)

Zelig (1983)
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Leonard Zelig, the "human chameleon", is profiled in this mock-documentary. Director Woody Allen appears as Zelig in scenes that purport to be vintage newsreel clips of the 1920s and 1930s, but are actually clever recreations, "aged" and scratched-up Citizen Kane-style by special-effects maestros Joel Hynick, Stuart Robinson and R. Greenberg Associates. An appropriately pompous narrator details the life and times of Leonard Zelig, whose overwhelming desire for conformity is manifested in his ability to take on the facial and vocal characteristics of whomever he happens to be around at the moment. He shows up at batting practice with Babe Ruth, among William Randolph Hearst's guests as San Simeon, side by side with Pope Pius at the Vatican, and peering anxiously over the shoulder of Adolf Hitler at the Nuremberg Rally. Becoming a celebrity in his own right, Zelig inspires a song, a dance craze, and a Warner Bros. biopic. Mia Farrow plays Dr. Eudora Fletcher , a psychiatrist who tries to "reach" Zelig and ultimately falls in love with him (all of Farrow's scenes are in black-and-white and allegedly culled from archive footage; Ellen Garrison, whose resemblance to Farrow is uncanny, plays the older Dr. Fletcher in the interview sequences). In the manner of Reds, the influence of the fictional Leonard Zelig on popular culture is discussed by such real-life notables as Susan Sontag, Irving Howe, Saul Bellow and Dr. Bruno Bettenheim. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, (more)
Director(s):
Woody Allen
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Zelig

Leonard Zelig, the "human chameleon", is profiled in this mock-documentary. Director Woody Allen appears as Zelig in scenes that purport to be vintage newsreel clips of the 1920s and 1930s, but are actually clever recreations, "aged" and scratched-up Citizen Kane-style by special-effects maestros Joel Hynick, Stuart Robinson and R. Greenberg Associates. An appropriately pompous narrator details the life and times of Leonard Zelig, whose overwhelming desire for conformity is manifested in his ability to take on the facial and vocal characteristics of whomever he happens to be around at the moment. He shows up at batting practice with Babe Ruth, among William Randolph Hearst's guests as San Simeon, side by side with Pope Pius at the Vatican, and peering anxiously over the shoulder of Adolf Hitler at the Nuremberg Rally. Becoming a celebrity in his own right, Zelig inspires a song, a dance craze, and a Warner Bros. biopic. Mia Farrow plays Dr. Eudora Fletcher , a psychiatrist who tries to "reach" Zelig and ultimately falls in love with him (all of Farrow's scenes are in black-and-white and allegedly culled from archive footage; Ellen Garrison, whose resemblance to Farrow is uncanny, plays the older Dr. Fletcher in the interview sequences). In the manner of Reds, the influence of the fictional Leonard Zelig on popular culture is discussed by such real-life notables as Susan Sontag, Irving Howe, Saul Bellow and Dr. Bruno Bettenheim. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
79 mins

Complete Cast of Zelig


Director(s):
Woody Allen
Writer(s):
Woody Allen
Producer(s):
Robert Greenhut
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Adult Humor, Questionable for Children, Adult Situations, Adult Language)
Categories:
Comedy
Zelig Awards:
  • 1983 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Cinematography
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    Member Reviews
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    Wendy B.

    We don't usually like Woody Allen movies, but this was clever and creative (probably because Woody doesn't speak much!). However, looking at other reviews, you probably need to be a fan of old movies to enjoy this as much as we did. It's a great mockumentary.

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    Keith G.

    Amazing technically, with a lot to say about society, conformity, and how we see ourselves, this mock documentary about a human chameleon is hilarious and heartbreaking, often at the same time. Some of the visual effects are still astounding by modern standards. And Allen gives a performance that is surprisingly subtle. There are a few slow moments, and a few jokes feel too self-conscious for the overall tone, but not enough to really hurt the film in any way. Tied with Crimes and Misdemeanors and Hannah and her Sisters for my 2nd favorite Allen film behind Annie Hall.

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    Joshua R.

    In my opinion this is Woody's Citizen Kane - technically dazzling, extremely witty script, never lagging, and profound insight into society's fascination with celebrity watching and the need for conformity, This is one of many Allen films involving the convergence of reality and fiction and which to me is his most exhilerating, the prescursor to his other great films Purple Rose of Cairo, Deconstructing Harry, and the recent Paris at Midnight. My all-time favorite Allen film tied with Crimes and Misdemeanors.

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