Fresh
Lampooning documentary tradition by structuring the entire film as a meticulously crafted bogus docu, Woody Allen tackles some serious stuff en route
Variety Staff, Variety
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Zelig
Overview
Fictional documentary about the life of human chameleon Leonard Zelig, a man who becomes a celebrity in the 1920s due to his ability to look and act like whoever is around him. Clever editing places Zelig in real newsreel footage of Woodrow Wilson, Babe Ruth, and others.
Director and cast
- Woody Allen Director
- Woody Allen as Leonard Zelig
- Mia Farrow as Dr. Eudora Nesbitt Fletcher
- Patrick Horgan as The Narrator (voice)
- John Buckwalter as Dr. Sindell
- Marvin Chatinover as Glandular Diagnosis Doctor
- Stanley Swerdlow as Mexican Food Doctor
- Paul Nevens as Dr. Birsky
- Howard Erskine as Hypodermic Doctor
- Richard Whiting as Other Doctor
- Ralph Bell as Other Doctor
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
97%
Tomatometer
Fresh
The comedy tends to the smirk-inducing rather than the laugh-out-loud, and the second half wanders somewhat, but Zelig is a strong contender for Allen's most fascinating film.
Tom Huddleston, Time Out
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