Today’s quick review: Zelig. In the 1920s, the world is astounded by the discovery of Leonard Zelig (Woody Allen), a social chameleon who takes on the traits of anyone he comes in contact with. Dr. Eudora Fletcher (Mia Farrow), a psychiatrist looking to make her reputation, takes on Zelig’s case and tries to teach him to have a personality of his own. But as the real Zelig starts to emerge, a relationship sparks between them.
Zelig is a historical comedy written and directed by Woody Allen. The movie is framed as a documentary about Leonard Zelig, an emotionally stunted man whose personality and physical appearance change to fit his surroundings. Zelig goes to great lengths to bring this premise to life, editing its actors into historical footage and producing fake evidence of Leonard’s extraordinary life. The result is an odd comedy that carves out a niche of its own.
Zelig holds a very specific sort of appeal. First of all, the care it puts into its premise is remarkable. The movie does a capable job of replicating the documentary format, down to the footage, songs, and merchandise “preserved” from Leonard’s time in the spotlight. Zelig’s story parodies the rise and fall of other public figures, with an emphasis on the fast pace of American life in the 20s and 30s.
One side effect of this format is that Zelig has a lower density of jokes than other comedies. A significant portion of the movie is spent on the nuts and bolts of the documentary, with the humor slipped in around the edges. The jokes are sharp and creative, earning the movie its share of laughs, but their spacing makes it something of a dry watch. Zelig is as much a thought experiment as an outright comedy.
The last pillar of the movie is Leonard himself. The movie approaches its subject in a sidelong fashion, showing his public impact before delving into who he is as a person. This leads to reduced screen time for Woody Allen and a relatively short period to develop Leonard. But Zelig makes the most of that time, quickly establishing Leonard as a sympathetic figure. This, in turn, gives the movie the emotional core it needs to hang together.
Zelig is a fascinating movie on several levels. Its dedication to its premise, clever humor, and short but effective emotional arc give it a unique payoff for those willing to give it a try. Still, its detached presentation style and understated humor may get in the way of some viewers’ enjoyment. Zelig is well worth a shot for those interested in the premise, but fans of more overt humor may want to approach with caution.
For another fake documentary with a comedic bent, try This is Spinal Tap. For a more emotional story about a fictional character inserted into important historical events, try Forrest Gump. For a true story about an impostor, try Catch Me If You Can. For a similar comedy about an unusual man’s relationship with society, try Being There.
[7.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086637/). I give it a 7.0 for an inventive premise with mixed impact.