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Woody Allen's Career Is Finally Maybe Over

By Kristy Puchko | Film | January 29, 2018 |

By Kristy Puchko | Film | January 29, 2018 |


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With the outing of Harvey Weinstein’s horrid behavior across decades, a movement to oust abusive men from Hollywood was born. Yet somehow, Woody Allen, whose daughter Dylan Farrow accused him of child molestation, seemed untouchable. Now, it looks like the other shoe may finally have fallen, ever so softly for Allen.

Page Six reports his latest film A Rainy Day in New York may never see the light of day. Amazon is set to distribute the film, and the company refused to comment, but an unnamed Hollywood exec told the outlet, “Rainy Day will either not come out or [will] get dumped by Amazon without any p.r. or theatrical release.” The anonymous exec also noted, “(Allen is) having trouble casting his new film.”

Well, it’s about damn time.

It’s not surprising to hear that Allen’s latest might get scuttled, considering a number of its stars have come out to publicly proclaim their regret over working on it.

The first was The Tick’s Griffin Newman, who wrote a revealing and vulnerable thread about his decision to donate his salary from the film to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

After Farrow wrote a piece specifically calling out actresses who publicly supported silence breakers but professionally worked with Allen, Rebecca Hall wrote an apology, and donated her salary to Time’s Up.

The day after the Weinstein accusation broke in full force I was shooting a day of work on Woody Allen’s latest movie in New York. I couldn’t have imagined somewhere stranger to be that day. When asked to do so, some seven months ago, I quickly said yes. He gave me one of my first significant roles in film for which I have always been grateful, it was one day in my hometown - easy. I have, however subsequently realized there is nothing easy about any of this. In the weeks following I have thought very deeply about this decision, and remain conflicted and saddened. After reading and re-reading Dylan Farrow’s statements of a few days ago and going back and reading the older ones - I see, not only how complicated this matter is, but that my actions have made another woman feel silenced and dismissed. That is not something that sits easily with me in the current or indeed any moment, and I am profoundly sorry. I regret this decision and wouldn’t make the same one today. It’s a small gesture and not one intended as close to compensation but I’ve donated my wage to @timesup. I’ve also signed up, will continue to donate, and look forward to working with and being part of this positive movement towards change not just in Hollywood but hopefully everywhere. #timesup

A post shared by Rebecca Hall (@rebeccahall) on

Next, Timothée Chalamet followed suit, pairing his public statement with a donation of his Rainy Day In New York salary to Time’s Up, RAINN, and the LGBT Center in New York.

Past collaborators Ellen Page and Greta Gerwig also shared statements of regret over working with Allen. And according to People, A Rainy Day In New York’s Selena Gomez donated her salary and then some to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund. However, the donation was reportedly anonymous, and Gomez made no statement against Allen. Instead she offered this:

With all this going on, Amazon may as well set A Rainy Day In New York’s marketing budget on fire. Every mention of the film would bring a renewed interest in all of the statements above. And if any of the above co-stars of the film could be convinced to do press for it, their involvement may not help Allen or Amazon’s cause. But beyond that, the rest of the cast who has not renounced their work with Allen (Elle Fanning, Jude Law, and Cherry Jones to name a few) will surely be facing uncomfortable questions on a press tour. After all, the film is about an older man (45-year-old Law) who falls for a fifteen-year-old girl (19-year-old Fanning), who is described as a “concubine.”

So, will Amazon shelve A Rainy Day In New York as The Orchard did Louis C.K.’s I Love You, Daddy? Or will they quietly release it on Amazon Prime, allowing it to be seen, but in a way that ducks all the hellfire that a press tour and theatrical release could rain down? And either way, will this be the end of Allen’s career? If he goes out with a whimper and not a bang, is that enough?

At 82, this long-celebrated director could quietly retire with ease, allowing his grotesque defenders (looking at you Alec Baldwin) to eternally lament his fate. It’s unsatisfying. It’s unfair. And it may be the best we’ll get. And frankly, Farrow deserves better.