“Allen’s stature as an important filmmaker (unlike his personal reputation) has proved surprisingly sturdy – despite the withering self-assessments he offers every so often. In an interview during the filming of Match Point, he described himself as ‘functioning within the parameters of my mediocrity,’ and went on to note that if he were ever to make another great film, it would be ‘by accident.’ False modesty? Some, no doubt. But we would do best to take his words at face value.” And yet, writes Christopher Orr, “Allen’s reputation depends in no small part on the very indolence that undermines so many of his films.”