Expanded from Allen's play, Death
(inspired by Ionesco's the Killer)
with subplot inspired by Gycklarnas Afton
(Sawdust and Tinsel)
but very much Allen in tone,
not Bergman, Lang or Murnau.
Or Kafka for that matter.
Carlo Di Palma's atmospheric photography
conveys veracity of this 1930s nightmare
Mitteleuropean/Queens ghetto.
In the original Kleinman dies.
This version, he runs away to join the Circus
alongside his surrogate clown played by Malkovich
and lovely sword swallowing partner
played by Farrow at her most maternal.
Very personal, disturbing and seriously funny.
A huge dream cast liberally peppered with stars.
Even in the heavy fog they all stand out.
While respecting the ensemble.
The score is mostly by Kurt Weill.
Tunes I listened to while falling asleep in my youth.
