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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be repulsed by the way Woody Allen

111 replies

nigelslaterfan · 21/07/2015 14:09

Gets away with making film after film of a minty old bezzer copping off with Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix and Colin Firth (shame on you Colin, for signing up you sinner, and shame on you for that film you did with Emily wot sit) when the actors are old enough to be her dad.
I'm so sick of seeing movies exult this crusty old male fantasy. I guess we should be grateful Woody doesn't book actresses that look under 16, thankful for small mercies for 'artists' pedalling their ill concealed perv-ons.
I can't even enjoy his funny films now.

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ghostyslovesheep · 22/07/2015 19:59

Hollywood is a creepy place

I am reminded of this again

SaucyJack · 22/07/2015 20:09

I have watched and liked a couple of his films (ditto Polanski), but they really are absolutely fucking hideous people in real life.

I prefer Ronan's quote "Happy Father's Day- or as we called it Happy Brother-In-Law's Day" to the one posted above.

Soon-Yi was 7 when WA became her step-father. Turns my stomach.

WorriedMutha · 22/07/2015 20:24

I know I go against the thrust of most of the posters but I love Woody Allen films. I don't feel the need to personally approve of directors, actors or musicians just because I like their output. I just really get his humour and love his films. Blue Jasmine was a gem. I don't think anyone comes out of the Farrow Allen fall out particularly well and I'm not sure we know enough about it to conclusively condemn anyone. Farrow sounds embittered and their son has denied Dylan was abused and instead says Farrow is manipulative. It was probably entirely inappropriate for him to have an affair with his adoptive daughter but they are still together now more than 20 years later. He's pushing 80 now so I'm just hoping he gets another 5 or so films under his belt before he packs it in.

Alisvolatpropiis · 22/07/2015 20:47

Worried fair point re not having to like the individual to like their work but it is more than "probably" inappropriate that he had an affair and fathered children with a woman he raised as his own child.

ChiefClerkDrumknott · 22/07/2015 21:49

I cannot stand Woody Allen, either his films or him as a person, however (I've said this before)...
I'm only a few years older than Emma Stone, Colin Firth is 23 years older than me, and I would ride him like a show pony, so your point re his age is invalid

Bambambini · 22/07/2015 21:58

Magic in the moonlight was pants. Didn't buy the romance at all.

Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 22/07/2015 23:20

Sorry to give any offence, Kevin.

I'm sure there are loads of very healthy age gap relationships.

But I do think some men are less threatened by significantly younger women. Some men, not all men.

But my mother got dumped for a much younger woman and we got dumped too in effect. I think my father is an example of someone who didn't want to grow up and a younger woman just extended his immaturity. That's just my experience. But Colin Firth is more than 13 years older than Emma Stone, she said herself he is the same age as her dad. Sorry but I really think Colin looks too old for her, really. It is striking enough for me to think, yuck but OH! It's Woody, his Whole Thing is Much Younger Women.

Each to his own but because some people have healthy age gap relationships doesn't mean, all age gap relationships are healthy. Our society has a real problem with embracing women getting older as do women themselves. Now however young you are, this will effect you and your daughters if you have daughters.

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KevinKnowsImMiserableNow · 22/07/2015 23:26

S'ok Nigel..I've just realised I was thinking of Colin Farrell not Colin Firth

Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 22/07/2015 23:27

Still sorry though, I really only want to have a slap of that Woody Allen and Colin that's it. And my dad. And his ex. And a few other people but not you.

Also I am older than my dh. Not like Sam Taylor Johnson older....

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Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 22/07/2015 23:28

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SiobhanSharpe · 23/07/2015 02:16

I am old enough to remember Woody Allen when he was still funny. Stopped watching his films after they started to get strange (Manhattan). And he has made some real stinkers since then although I understand one or two have been better lately. But there are just too many tedious, self-indulgent middle aged men's fantasies masquerading as "cinema". His oeuvres leave me cold. (So I'm pretentious too, it must be catching. )

Happyringo · 23/07/2015 08:04

Just as an aside...do people who feel revulsion about age gap relationships feel the same when it's the female who is older? Like Sam Taylor-Johnson, who was 42 when she started a relationship with her then 19 year old husband?
(Although of course she wasn't his stepmother afaik!)

Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 23/07/2015 09:05

Siobhan, I hope you haven't seen Match Point then.

He gets the whole English class thing so wrong imo, he makes the actors ridiculous by his terrible dialogue because he doesn't understand this culture. And he's bright enough to know that he doesn't know something. Jonathan what'shisname in Match Point is so terribly directed I think. And the way Allen films Scarlet johanssen I genuinely find pervy. He's like a peeping Tom. just Heave.

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Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 23/07/2015 09:30

I don't find Sam and Aaron Taylor Johnson remotely repulsive. They must have something real because they've had kids together and stayed together. I think she looks gorgeous and much more natural than some of the pneumatic plastic lasses he could be with. I mean she has substance and creativity and clout, pretty attractive combination.

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ReluctantCamper · 23/07/2015 09:40

I dunno NigelSlater , I'm pretty repulsed by a 42 year old and a 19 year old. It seems exploitative to me. I guess the fact that they're still together is proof they've got something, but he's had to step up to adulthood and fatherhood at an age where I was pretty much still a child, dictated by her age. That seems like exploitation I think. The relationship looks unequal, and she's getting more out of it than she is.

TBH I can't get that bothered about what other people do as long as it's legal and consensual, but if one of my friends did this I'd have problems dealing with it, and wouldn't want to talk to her about it.

ReluctantCamper · 23/07/2015 09:44

DH has a male friend in his 40s who routinely dates women in their early 20s (semi long term, for a year or two). The general consensus is that he's a bit of a sad fuck in the relationship area (although perfectly nice in all other ways), and he is treated with mild derision for this tendency by his friends.

I think if he went for a teenager, the disapproval would become much more serious.

Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 23/07/2015 09:46

Who do you think is getting more out of it?

I think large age gap relationships between men and younger women are so massively common that I can't object to Sam Taylor Johnson and Aaron. I mean they're in the same business and it has lasted, i think time tells with ill founded relationships.

I had a close friend who ended up marrying a guy 18 years older than her and I thought she was very wrong but they're still together and going strong after many years so who was I to judge I guess?

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wigglesrock · 23/07/2015 09:51

I think what makes me feel most uncomfortable about Sam and Aaron Taylor Johnson's relationship/ marriage is that she was the director of Nowhere Boy - I think if a 19 year old actress was in a relationship with her director who was in his 40s - they'd be a lot more negativity.

ReluctantCamper · 23/07/2015 09:53

Yep, she had all the power. It is a bit icky.

Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 23/07/2015 09:56

that is a good point, Svengali thing. It does look different when you put it that way.

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ZaZathecat · 23/07/2015 09:58

YABU to call Colin crusty and old but YANBU to think he should be paired with me someone his own age!

ReluctantCamper · 23/07/2015 10:00

Sam T J and Aaron T J have only been together 6 years (thanks Wikipedia). He's only 25. While I hope they stay together and wish them every happiness, I wouldn't go so far as to say time has told in this situation.

ReluctantCamper · 23/07/2015 10:08

Colin firth is 54. I think casting directors would struggle to find a 54 year old actress with matching star power (I don't think that's a good thing btw). The only one I could find after a quick google was Julianne Moore.

Original poster

nigelslaterfan · 23/07/2015 10:16

and they starred together beautifully in a single man didn't they?

He looks embarrassed with the younger actors, I think. Check out Colin and Emily Blunt

he and she are creepy in this, just I have had enough of minty bezzers and young lasses, just enough already. You are not Mr Darcy any more!

But the great test is Mamma Mia. Meryl is the same age as the three actors but I think she looks weird in that film, they've soft focussed her oddly and all that leaping and dungaree wearing schiese she keeps doing makes her look odd. i don't think they quite had the courage of their convictions, because she is gorgeous as an older woman any way.

Kristin Scott Thomas is the Queen of the Hotter Older lass. I mean she is so gorgeous and no surgery you can see at all. Gawd Bless Her, I worship her.

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ZaZathecat · 23/07/2015 10:18

See this list Reluctant, there are plenty of attractive and well-known actresses over 45, even if they don't want to use me!

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