Woody Allen's Zelig from 1983 is not only his most unconventional film, but may also rank among his best works.
It is a mockumentary that tells the story of Leonard Zelig, the chamaeleon man, who absorbs the main characteristics of the persons around him. So for example he is able to become a perfect doctor within seconds when only he is among doctors. Or, to give a more obvious example, his skin is turning black when he is talking to an African American. These circumstances make him to some kind of tragic star about whom the whole world laughs. For example the chamaelon dance, inspired by his story, becomes totally famous in the USA. The only person who really wants to help him is Dr. Fletcher.
Woody Allen shows Zelig as a victim of the society. Zelig only is afraid of being not accepted and that's the reason why he is turning into the persons he is talking to. One can wonder if this is a personal film from Woody Allen, but no matter whether it is or not, it will definitely move you.
After Zelig is cured, he delivers a speech that asks people to be brave enough to be theirselves. Well, you definitely can't argue against that message, but nevertheless it is quite funny. You have to remind that while in the movie he finally ends on the side of Mia Farrow (who portrays Dr. Fletcher), he actually turned away from her in real life in order to marry Farrows step daughter.
He really didn't care about anybody's opinion obviously. Brave Man.
But hey, we always knew that he's a crazy man. And this crazy man made some really great movies. For example
Zelig. 7.5/10
