[Quick Summary: Talent manager Danny Rose desperately tries to persuade his client's girlfriend to show up for the client's big night.]
Woody Allen wrote this script, so I knew a sucker punch would eventually come.
However, I was truly surprised how much it still stung.
I think one reasons is that the wind up to the punch really intensified the punch.
Here's why:
1) I really invested in Danny Rose, who went to extremes for clients that no one else wanted. (EMPATHY)
ex. He clients include a blind xylophone player, a penguin act, a hypnotist.
ex. He is devoted to Lou, a has-been lounge singer, and picks out Lou's songs, clothes, and even eats with Lou's family.
2) The punch starts moving toward Danny Rose, but it takes awhile. The hurt builds and coils like a spring, which is where all the power lies. (WIND UP; SUSPENSE)
- Bigwigs are coming to see Lou sing. This might be his big break into tv.
- Lou is married but has a volatile girlfriend, Tina.
- Lou won't perform unless Tina comes. He asks Danny Rose to get her there.
- Tina is mad and has other plans. She takes off and Danny Rose pursues.
- Danny Rose has many crazy, fun mis-adventures with Tina.
- She starts to like him but is conflicted. In flashback, we see her make a bad decision that will affect Danny Rose.
3) The punch lands. It stings much more strongly than I thought.
Danny Rose is betrayed. It hurts bad.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I liked how flashback was used well in the wind up phase.
It is not used to explain Tina in the PAST (boring).
It is actually used to further complicate Tina in the PRESENT (interesting), as well as Danny Rose.
Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
by Woody Allen
Published in Three Films by Woody Allen (1987)
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