Radio Days (1987)

Directed by Woody Allen. Starring Dianne Wiest, Mia Farrow, Julie Kavner, Michael Tucker, Seth Green, Josh Mostel, Renée Lippin, Andrew Clark, Wallace Shawn, David Warrilow, Tony Roberts, Kenneth Mars, (voice) Woody Allen. [PG]

Nostalgia trip for Allen as he looks back at life in the early-40s, a time before television when radio was still king. Less a traditional narrative than a series of intertwining vignettes loosely orbiting the extended family of a Rockaway Beach kid named Joe (a stand-in for young Woody, played by Green)—a few of the episodes are mild/forgettable, but most are delightful, and none are outright duds. Features a whole host of characters, archetypal yet authentic: bickering spouses (“Take the gas pipe!”), ditzy dames (“Who is Pearl Harbor?”), etc. Played superbly by a large, talented ensemble; many actors who appeared in previous Allen films show up, including bit parts for Diane Keaton, Danny Aiello, Jeff Daniels, and so on (not to mention blink-and-you’ll-miss-them appearances from the likes of Mercedes Ruehl and Larry David, the latter recognizable by voice alone). The wrap-up, courtesy of Allen’s narration, doesn’t add up to much, but the journey is still worthwhile. Great use of period music, and the sets, locations and costumes all contribute to a nearly seamless recreation of life during wartime in and around Queens, NY.

83/100