Review

There are two distinct aspects of Woody Allen's autobiography, Apropos of Nothing. The first, when he writes candidly about growing up poor in Brooklyn, his family, his love of Manhattan right from his first outing there as a boy, his love of magic tricks and sports, his love of movies, his early jobs writing jokes for newspapers, and his own experiences as a stand-up comic were predictably humorous, interesting, and a joy to read. And later, of course, Woody Allen (born Alan Konigsberg and now 84) became a world-renowned film writer, producer, and director who, during his long career, has made some 50 films. He writes about his early marriages to Harlene Rosen and Louise Lasser, and the many actresses and actors he selected for leads in his movies, notably his romance and lifelong friendship with Diane Keaton. As noted, this aspect of the book, a light treatment of his life and career, were particularly enjoyable. And then there was Mia Farrow and his personal and professional relationship with her, which would ultimately produce the elephant in Allen's legacy. Farrow loved to adopt kids and she adopted many, including a seven-year-old Korean waif named Soon-Yi (Previn). Allen reports that Mia was strict, impatient, had a fierce temper, regarded Soon-Yi as hopelessly stupid, and they were always at odds since Soon-Y had "the temerity to challenge Mia's cruel authority." Years later when Soon-Yi was in her 20s, she and Allen began a relationship that would result in a successful marriage that goes on to this day. When Mia found out about the relationship, she was enraged. She got her "revenge" on Woody when she falsely accused him of child abuse of their seven-year-old daughter, Dylan. Although two extensive investigations would absolve Woody of all charges, the damage was done. He was painted in public as a child abuser (and a man who had married his own "daughter") and many friends as well as his own kids (including Ronan and Dylan) ostracized him. The book takes you through all of this, situations that Woody fiercely defends, and he scores Mia for madness in pursuing these ends. This of course was a heavier aspect of the book, a sad story. Allen is indeed a unique person, incredibly talented and successful, but now clearly beset by this damage to him personally which has ruined his cherished family and friend relationships.

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