Allen has made film history with his work – but that doesn’t mean he should be free from criticism.
Today, Woody Allen celebrates his 90th birthday, a date that film lovers – despite all controversies – can hardly ignore.
Neurotic Humor And A Penchant For Melancholy
For more than six decades, Allen has shaped the world of film: as a director, screenwriter, actor, comedian, musician. From Annie Hall to Manhattan to Midnight in Paris, he created a distinctive signature that combines neurotic humor with philosophical questions, everyday observations, and a certain romantic melancholy.
His films often feel like literary essays in motion, carried by jazz, irony, and intellectual self-mockery. Without him, modern film comedies would lack a defining stylistic element.
A More Than Bitter Aftertaste
Yet on this anniversary, we can't view his work without acknowledging the shadow that has hung over him for many years. The abuse allegations dating back to the 1990s, the division of public opinion, legal disputes, and moral evaluations have led to Woody Allen being regarded not only as an artist but also as a problematic figure.
The debates surrounding him have become part of the modern handling of artists whose private lives and public work seem inseparably intertwined. For this reason, one can't honor his persona today without looking critically, asking questions, and reflecting on the responsibility of both the audience and the industry.
Separating Art And Artist?
That is precisely why it is important to adopt a nuanced stance. The allegations are serious, the discussions socially necessary, yet they do not automatically erase the cultural value of his films.
The classics have not disappeared, and they have influenced film history in ways that exist independently of the moral evaluation of Woody Allen as a person: form, tone, a unique style of dialogue, an aesthetic that continues to inspire directors today.
Thus, on Woody Allen's 90th birthday, two things can be acknowledged: one can appreciate his work while still viewing his person critically. Film history cannot be rewritten, but we can learn to engage with it more consciously – with joy for the art, and with responsibility toward the reality behind it.