I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Excellent, a Must See

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

'Don't Drink the Water', directed by Woody Allen and based on a Broadway play by Allen is distinctly different from most of his other films due to its dated and just ordinarily funny plot and jokes. I believe this movie, which may have been made for television, was filmed relatively recently, probably after Michael J. Fox left 'Family Ties' and while or before he began his last TV series before retiring due to Parkinson's Disease. I have strong suspicions, however, that the play was written in the early sixties, not too long after the time in which the play takes place. One result of this being an adaptation from a stage play is that there is little or none of Allen's visual humor. All on screen business is written to be done on a stage with one scene on stage at a time. There are also practically none of Allen's favorite topics and plot tricks. This is nothing more than a stage comedy, and virtually none of Allen's other movies are 'nothing more than stage comedies'.The high point in casting, however, is that of the fine character actor Edward Hermann in the role of "Kilroy." It's a pity that Hermann isn't seen more often, because he is a gem of an actor. His character, Kilroy, is an ultra-conservative by-the-book diplomat who despises Axel Magee for his incompetence. Then, hit in the head by a projectile during a riot outside the Embassy, he suffers a concussion and acts as though he were the Wright brothers, both of them. The low point in casting is that of Dom DeLuise as "Father Drobny," a priest who has sought political asylum at the Embassy and hasn't left in seven years. DeLuise, regrettably, offers us the same pseudo-Italian accent he's been doing since the "Dean Martin Roasts" and "Smokey & The Bandit II." I like it because it was very stagey, no surprise for a filmed play. Woody has made some brilliant films and this isn't one of them, but its fun, energetic and we see him in classic Jewish Kay/Hope/Marx/Lewis/Allen mode. Great fun. And don't forget the marvelous Julie Kavner, voice of Marge Simpson, but even so much better as a comedienne.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

"Don't Drink The Water!" is not a comedy classic, it suffers from some staginess (which is to be expected, being based on a stage play and all), and some comic ideas don't come off at all (like the guy who gets hit on the head with a brick and starts thinking he is two people). But if you have a preference, as many do, for Woody Allen's "early, funny films" (personally, I can find things to appreciate in all of his career phases), this later one is probably as close as you're gonna get to them. Limiting his usual philosophizing about life, death, God and the universe to a bare minimum (though he still comes up with one of his simplest but wisest insights about the universe: "it's a rough place, but if you have someone to share it with, it gets easier"), Woody basically concentrates on firing off one-liners at such a rapid-fire speed that you may have to watch the film a second time to catch them all. And his great lines in this film are too numerous to count ("I heard, he has an idea. You'll find me at the fallout shelter"!). Julie Kavner is one of the most compatible female screen partners for Woody, and there is genuine sweetness in the budding romance between Michael J. Fox and Mayim Bialik; Dom De Luise's contributions are more a matter of taste. *** out of 4.

Not that the 1969 film was terrible, for me it was not quite as bad as said to be, but while there were bright spots it was an average film overall. This second version does have some claustrophobic-feeling camera work and the ending does feel too neat but it is the much better version of the two. The production and costume design are done beautifully, which despite the camera work makes it a more appealing film visually. The editing here actually compliments the timing of the gags rather than hinders it. Allen's films nearly always have great soundtracks and this soundtrack doesn't disappoint at all, it's fresher-sounding and far more mellow and is in a style that I much prefer, it's also more fitting. The dialogue is smart and hilarious as well as intelligently structured, it's sharper, more witty and has much more bite(all three of which were missing in the earlier version) that sounds more like Allen's writing style. The pacing is zippier, with the film just flying by, and much more farce-like, like it was always intended to be, instead of taking the premise too seriously. The characters are indeed broad which is never a bad thing for farce and they are more interesting and likable even if deliberately neurotic. Allen's directing is just fine, and his performance does show genuine and more consistent comic timing, neurotic sure(not unusual for Allen) but not in a too samey way. Julie Kavner shows great chemistry with him and she matches him in comic timing, she's also one of the most strong-willed Allen female characters-which was refreshing-and a more interesting character than Estelle Parssons'. Michael J.Fox is actually charming and funny and never too much of a dunce(yes even for a character where that trait is called for), while Dom DeLuise provides much entertainment in how hilariously bad his magic tricks are while more restrained than he could be. Edward Hermann is inspired casting though could have been seen more. Mayim Bialik is not quite as effective as everyone else and a little plain but she is more than serviceable still. Overall, it may not be among Allen's best and is one of his weaker outings of the 90s(with only Shadows and Fog, still a decent film, and Celebrity, which to me is one of Allen's overall weakest, rated lower) but it is a lot of fun and fares much better than the 1969 film. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox

Woody Allen's 1994 remake of "Don't Drink the Water" is an absolutely perfect comedy. This film was made 25 years after the awful 1969 original was made and watching both back to back, it is quite a revelation.I really hated the previous film, which starred Jackie Gleason. It made the deadly mistake of taking the premise too seriously. Silly comedies are not supposed to be taken seriously! Also, the 1969 film added about 19 minutes of filler that wasn't in the original play. Allen's film begins with the family already in the American embassy. The crime: Woody Allen takes a picture of a landmark in an Iron Curtain country and is mistaken for a spy. I won't reveal anymore of the story because it is so dependent on surprise.Everything works in this version. Allen himself stars in the Gleason role and his neurotic personality is a much better fit for the character. Julie Kavner plays his wife and has a much better part than Estelle Parsons did in the first film. The wife is NOT an annoying airhead, but a strongwilled woman and that is welcome. Michael J. Fox is the politican who tries to save the family and he is wonderful in the role. Dom DeLuise is cast as a lunatic priest who wants to be a magician.Allen's script is funny because it is tongue in cheek. It plays on the standard conventions of hostage picures. Also, Allen likes to play with the plot in interesting ways and take all sorts of unexpected twists and turns. In his best films ("Purple Rose of Cairo", "Sleeper", "Small Time Crooks", "Zelig" to name a few), that is why they're so good.Now on video after a long battle over rights, "Don't Drink the Water" is everything the original wanted to be but wasn't: a hilarious comic masterpiece. Rent or buy this version now. The 1969 version isn't on video anymore and hopefully it will stay that way.**** out of 4 stars