Start to Finish

"An undeniably captivating read. . . . A seriously up close and personal book. . . . Lax has an innate understanding of how Allen works." --The Buffalo News

"A highly personal portrait of Allen--we see his insecurities, his vulnerabilities, and his dogged pursuit of a good story, be it for comedy or for deep examination of human morality--and the narrative is ripe with anecdotes and quotes. But the real achievement is seeing in detail the arc of any creative process. . . . The intimate access makes the book." --Kirkus Reviews

"A clear and entertaining introduction to the moviemaking process. . . . The reader becomes immersed in the careful work that goes into [Allen's] films. The book succeeds simultaneously as biographical snapshot, primer on filmmaking, and documentary of an artwork's creation." --Publishers Weekly

"Having written a first-rate biography of Woody Allen and then published a collection of interviews with the comedian-turned-filmmaker, Eric Lax now shares the experience of observing Woody at work. . . . From concept to filming to editing and polishing, this book offers a closeup look at the process of a true auteur, one of the rare American filmmakers who has complete control over his work." --Leonard Maltin, leonardmaltin.com

"Quite simply, this is unprecedented access to the creative process and Lax is a kind, patient observer." --PopMatters