Rent Sleeper (1973)

One of Woody's early 'funny' films - Sleeper review by CP Customer

Regarding his recent output, perhaps Mr Allen finds life less amusing now. I sympathise. But there is solace in the many pleasures Sleeper has to offer. After 32 years, not only does it still look good, but the music is also great, and the gags are a perfect highbrow/lowbrow mixture, meaning that the kids and I can be equally entertained.

Future Shock, Present Snark - Sleeper review by griggs

Some comedies feel like they’re being made up on the spot, and this is one of them. It’s full-tilt goofy: gags from every angle, little visual jokes hiding in the corners, and the film happily sprinting ahead without waiting for you to catch up.

The clever trick is the sci-fi wrapper. The “future” is mainly an excuse to take cheeky swings at the era it came from — political paranoia, moral panics, and all that self-important posturing.

It’s not perfectly even, though. The final stretch loosens up and starts to feel more skit-by-skit than sharply built. Still, there are laughs to spare, some properly old-school slapstick, and Diane Keaton bringing warmth and spark when it could’ve turned into pure silliness. Solid fun, just shy of top drawer.

Sci-fi Jokefest. - Sleeper review by Steve

The best of Woody Allen's early comedies. The character of the neurotic New York/Jewish intellectual  is established. He looks to Bob Hope for mannerisms and bursts of poetic gallantry. And the physical humour is inspired by Buster Keaton. Woody imitating a robot butler about to get his head replaced is all time great silent slapstick.

It is a science fiction comedy. Woody wakes up 200 years after a botched operation on his ulcer, still wearing his trademark glasses. This allows for comical comparisons between the now vanished Greenwich Village and the mock-Californian culture of the brave new world which has replaced it.

Like Bananas, it's about an underground uprising which plots to replace a totalitarian dictator (Diane Keaton even sings the rebel song from Bananas). Woody scored the film and recorded the ragtime soundtrack which is used to great effect during the speeded up slapstick scenes.

This is a giant leap forward for Woody. It isn't inconsistent; it all works. There is nothing of questionable taste. Best of all, this is the first film he directs with Diane Keaton. She's a comedy great and even introduces a glimmer of genuine romance. When she is on, everything is more fun.