Woody Allen

WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
Because some of his films are some of the funniest ever made. Because, in an industry obsessed with mega-budgets, explosions, sex and box office, you can count on Woody to put quality before commerce. In return, he's earned himself a reputation that means A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts accept pay packets that would normally be given to their manicurists, just to be able to work with him.

WHAT SORTS OF FILMS IS HE FAMOUS FOR?
Angsty comedies. None of Allen's films has been a box office smash, but all earn money. They are usually (very broadly) placed into three periods: THE FUNNY FILMS (late 60s - early 70s), THE MORE PHILOSOPHICAL FILMS (late 70s - early 90s) and THE STAR-STUDDED LIGHT COMEDIES (mid-90s to date). Allen has also made three stabs at straight drama: September, Interiors and Another Woman. No one watches them.

WHEN WAS HE WORKING?
Allen began his career as a writer for other comics in the 50s, after famously selling his first joke aged 14. He worked as a stand-up and then as a playwright before writing and appearing in the movie What's New, Pussycat? (1965). Since then he has directed 32 feature films. Allen is unique among his peers in that he religiously makes a movie a year.