Play It Again Woody

The film Play It Again Sam is about a shy and timid man who finds confidence in his imaginary rendition of Casablanca's Humphrey Bogart. Bogart shadows Allen's character and guides him through various situations all the while trying to build up Allan (Allen's character)'s confidence and self worth. Allan is incredibly pusillanimous towards women. His incredible fear of the opposite sex makes the viewer wonder what must have happened to him during his childhood to have made him into this apprehensive and solicitous character. It can most likely be referenced back to the relationship he had with his mother. Perhaps his mother was a larger than life and overbearing woman who belittled Allan in his youth. Perhaps his anxious demeanor can be related back to the Oedipus Complex. Perhaps Allan was never able to make that connection with his mother and therefore is afraid of all women, uneducated in the art of being flirtatious and seductive. It may also be the complete opposite. It may be that Allan is still infatuated with his mother and therefore feels no importance or interest in talking to any other woman. His nervousness is unconsciously keeping him distant from all other women other than his mother. He secretly longs to have that special bond with his mother, for she is the one who fully understands him and accepts him.