duraflex As a big Michael J. Fox fan, this film was a major disappointment. Seeing him portray an inept ambassador was distressing. Seeing Edward Hermann as a buffoon, again disappointing.Woody Allen is more neurotic, obnoxious and generally less funny than in many of his other films. This is not one of his best efforts by far.Julie Kavner's voice (Marge Simpson) is annoying beyond words.Mayim Bialik's character is without any special appeal.The premise of the film is an interesting one but it does not play out well.If I was running that embassy, I would have simply turned the Hollander family over to the Russians. A few hours with this bunch and they would be deporting them - problem solved.

connorratliff When this film first aired on ABC in the mid 90s, it was a pleasant "extra." In addition to getting the regular film-a-year in theaters, Woody managed to shoot a made-for-TV picture that was funny and looked like it could have played in theaters. It has a strong cast, and a lot of funny lines. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a solid piece of light entertainment. Well... how times have changed. Allen's last few efforts have been his worst films ever (The Curse of the Jade Scorpion and Hollywood Ending), and it's starting to make seemingly effortless entertainments like Don't Drink The Water (or Small Time Crooks, for that matter) look richer in hindsight. If his next film was as good as DDTW, I'd be thrilled. If it's as dire as Hollywood Ending, it will continue a very sad decline of one of America's greatest filmmaking talents...Don't rent HOLLYWOOD ENDING. Rent Don't Drink The Water! It's funnier! And better!

liz_levine I have been recommending this movie to friends for ages, not knowing that they had no possible way of actually seeing it since for some reason it never came out on video. The earlier version (with Jackie Gleason leading the cast) is a poor substitute. It has some of the same jokes, but none of the wit. It also does not have the SOUNDTRACK which in the 1994 made-for-TV-version was a sublime showcase for some very hot Bulgarian tunes. (I am a folk dancer, so I know my Bulgarian music!) The Gleason version gets air time ten-twelve times a year on cable and regular TV, but the 1994 version does not. It may have been made for TV, but seemingly it never comes back to the TV. I know because I have been reading the TV guide every week for a year now looking for this movie(!)

evans-3 For those who are familiar with Allen's work, this TV adaptation of the play will be no surprise: it's funny, well-timed and far superior to the miserable Jackie Gleason version (done before Woody had the clout to insist on filming it himself). TV regulars Michael J. Fox and Mayim Bialik play to their strengths (although I would have preferred Cusack and Danes, or other Woody regulars - I can't imagine these two were his first choice), and Allen and Kavner pick up where Oedipus Wrecks lets off. Not fantastic, but what do you want? It's TV.