Zelig

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Zelig

PG,

1983,

1h 24m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

97%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In this fictional documentary, a man achieves notoriety for his ability to look and act like anyone he meets. With his unique talent for mimicry, Zelig (Woody Allen) ingratiates himself with people from every sector of society. His chameleon-like skill catches the eye of Eudora Fletcher (Mia Farrow), a doctor who thinks Zelig is in need of serious cognitive analysis. Their relationship moves in a direction that's not often covered in medical textbooks.

Critics Consensus

Wryly amusing, technically impressive, and ultimately thought-provoking, Zelig represents Woody Allen in complete command of his craft.

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Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

Jan 27, 2026

4/4

Zelig is a movie that will remain timeless as long as people are willing to sell their souls to be part of something. It’s very funny until the laughs stick in your throat.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Sep 13, 2023

The picture is thoroughly charming. It’s quick and deft and it races along. I admired the delicate care with which it was made... But when I see comparisons with Citizen Kane in the papers, I don’t know what the writers are talking about.

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Linda Deutsch

Associated Press

Mar 4, 2019

Zelig is certain to rank among the most talked-about movies of this or any season. It is the most innovative film yet from the fertile imagination of Woody Allen, who proves that despite a few misses along with hits, he is never dull.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Sep 22, 2022

8/10

Excellently paced, smartly conceived, cleverly written, and impressively different from writer/director Woody Allen’s previous efforts.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Aug 30, 2022

B

This beautifully realized bit of flimflam was Allen’s most purely cinematic effort up to that time.

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John Brosnan

Starburst

Aug 1, 2022

I found the picture's cod-documentary structure rather limiting and after a while I started wishing that the real movie would start.

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Draco G

Nov 11, 2018

A fictional documentary like no other. It's hilarious, innovative and shows off the brilliance of Woody's filmmaking skills.

Rey L

Apr 23, 2018

Zelig aus dem Jahr 1983 von und mit Woody Allen als Regisseur und Haupdarsteller ist eine fiktive Doku in der es um Leonard Zelig geht. Er ist ein ''menschliches Chamäleon'' dass sich perfekt auf sein Gegenüber einstellen kann und somit ein Meister der Anpassung ist. Diese Mockumentary ist humorvoll und traurig. Sie erinnert an vergangene Zeiten. Owohl nur 71 Minuten lang wirkt Zelig langatmig und teils langweilig.

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Poe R

Feb 9, 2018

It might be Allen's magnum opus. One word for it: BRILLIANT.

Kylo L

Jun 3, 2017

This is one of the funniest and most intelligent films I've ever seen. It's very rare to have those two things together, but this film is incredible and makes it work. Creative, funny and tackles some rather philosophical insights into human nature all at the same time. Well done Woody.

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Finn G

Apr 17, 2017

#woodyallenretro Podcast Project Woody perfects his mockumentary skills from take the money and run to a perfect tee with a very interesting and fantastically shot look into this charismatic chameleon character - still holds up to this day and can fool people to even think this was real person... well... not really but great execution

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Hermione S

Mar 31, 2017

One of the most philosophical, historical, mocking documentary showcasing Woody Allen at the height of his imagination and moral seriousness, thinly and charmingly under the disguise of wit and mockery.

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Woody Allen

Director

Woody Allen

Leonard Zelig

Mia Farrow

Dr. Eudora Nesbitt Fletcher

Garrett M. Brown

Actor Zelig

John Buckwalter

Dr. Sindell

Marvin Chatinover

Glandular Diagnosis Doctor

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Synopsis

In this fictional documentary, a man achieves notoriety for his ability to look and act like anyone he meets. With his unique talent for mimicry, Zelig (Woody Allen) ingratiates himself with people from every sector of society. His chameleon-like skill catches the eye of Eudora Fletcher (Mia Farrow), a doctor who thinks Zelig is in need of serious cognitive analysis. Their relationship moves in a direction that's not often covered in medical textbooks.

Director: Woody Allen
Producer: Robert Greenhut
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Production Co: Orion Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 15, 1983, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 1h 24m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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