Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Woody Allen
Written by	Woody Allen
Produced by	Jean Doumanian
Starring	Caroline Aaron Woody Allen Kirstie Alley Bob Balaban Richard Benjamin Eric Bogosian Billy Crystal Judy Davis Hazelle Goodman Mariel Hemingway Amy Irving Julie Kavner Eric Lloyd Julia Louis-Dreyfus Tobey Maguire Demi Moore Elisabeth Shue Stanley Tucci Robin Williams
Cinematography	Carlo Di Palma
Edited by	Susan E. Morse
Production company	Sweetland Films
Distributed by	Fine Line Features
Release dates	August 27, 1997 (1997-08-27) (Venice) December 12, 1997 (1997-12-12) (United States; limited) January 2, 1998 (1998-01-02) (United States; wide)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$20 million[1]
Box office	$10.7 million (USA)[1]

Deconstructing Harry is a 1997 American black comedy film written, directed by, and co-starring Woody Allen, with an ensemble cast, including Caroline Aaron, Kirstie Alley, Bob Balaban, Richard Benjamin, Eric Bogosian, Billy Crystal and Judy Davis, as well as Jennifer Garner in her feature film debut. The film tells the story of a successful writer named Harry Block, played by Allen, who draws inspiration from people who he knows in real life, and from events that happen to him, sometimes causing these people to become alienated from him as a result.

The central plot features Block driving to a university from which he was once thrown out, to receive an honorary degree. Three passengers accompany him on the trip: a prostitute, a friend, and his son, who he has kidnapped from his ex-wife. There are many flashbacks, segments taken from Block's writing, and interactions with his own fictional characters. Deconstructing Harry received moderately positive reviews from critics.