This seems like it should be one of those films where Woody Allen goes off his usual beaten path, comes up with something fresh, and strikes gold (like The Purple Rose of Cairo). It isn't. It's a good idea but he messes it up by casting himself in the title role. And it isn't the usual whine that he isn't a good actor--because he can be great--but this isn't the role for him. You can tell the first time you see him doing the bit of talking with his hands trying to sell a client. I'm sure Woody has seen this type of guy and he certainly seems the type whom comedians would sit around to talk and laugh about. But Allen is clearly just imitating those moves and never seems that guy. Why not hire an older actor who actually can do those moves naturally? And this miscasting messes up the whole movie and reduces it to just a gimmick instead of a truly funny and affectionate study of some offbeat little character. Strangely, Mia Farrow does better with a character who also very far removed from herself. Woody Allen was a better actor early in his career (maybe he just had more energy to give it then) or when he works just as an actor for other directors. He's able to give it more focus and he usually does a fine job. I think this might be his worst acting. He seems much too sharp to have not known someone better than himself for this role. It would have been worth the effort to find him.
Review of Broadway Danny Rose
