Annie Hall 1977

This film tends to receive some unnecessary hate from nerd bro manbabies who are still frustrated by this taking home Best Picture instead of Star Wars. Sure, that film might've had the bigger culture impact in the long term, but would we even have the mumblecore genre if it wasn't for movies like Annie Hall? I think the Academy actually had it at the right end this once as Annie Hall's longevity and quality are undeniable. It's that rare romcom that's intelligently written, honest and avoids all of the tired clichés that are associated with this genre. I laughed a lot, mostly because Allen integrates quite a few different comedic styles in his writing here (e.g. absurdism; postmodernism; satire). Despite him having a reputation for being too inaccessible or highbrow for the masses, this movie doesn't feel up its own ass to me. In fact, his observations about relationships I find quite relatable, and he never draws conclusions that feel too obvious or safe. The acting's great, and even though Allen's filmmaking style isn't very showy, his editing and camera placement do a good job at emphasizing the details in the performances. For example, the wide tracking shots feel like the right choice as a lot of Allen's acting is found in his body language. On top of that, the postmodern approach leads to some other interesting stylistic choices. Honestly I don't think there are many issues with it; it's aged really well as a result of making the right artistic choices at every turn.

9/10

Annie Hall: "It's so clean out here."

Alvy Singer: "That's because they don't throw their garbage away, they turn it into television shows."

If someone ever asked me what some of the best screenplays are out there, the first would be ‘Pulp Fiction’ and the second being ‘Annie Hall’. A remarkable movie, unlike anything before or since. The visual storytelling adds to the sharp comedic charm. A prime example of life imitates art.

‘Annie Hall’ is a romantic comedy that defies movie conventions. It’s no Hollywood fluff, nor is it a depressing soap drama. It’s a movie that looks at the ups and downs of relationships, because relationships aren't that black and white. It finds the right balance that you rarely get. It politely destroys your fantasies by introducing a little reality.

I know Woody Allen is a controversial figure, especially in our times, but I will be dishonest to myself if I did not think this guy is a freaking genius, in terms of his film making and writing.

The chemistry between Annie (Diane Keaton) and Alvy (Woody Allen) can be best described as complicated. Alvy is an New York Jew who thinks out loud about his likes and dislikes with a timorous attitude, which 16 years of therapy seems to keep him grounded. While Annie is a Midwestern girl who is aspired to be a singer. An unlikely relationship that you would not expect to see, but a memorable one either way. The brilliant thing about it is that you totally believe in the relationship.

Diane Keaton was absolutely mesmerising in this movie and deserved that Oscar win for her performance. There’s a scene in this movie where we see Annie sing the song ‘Seems Like Old Times’ at a bar in a two-minute uncut shot. No cut away to the audience reactions or anything, the camera is locked onto her and the film lets the song play out. Besides her beautiful singing voice, she is doing some of the best eye acting I have ever seen. Watching it felt like a hypnosis, it puts you in a trance.

The writing and directing from Woody Allen were just superb. It is a “lighting in a bottle” type of situation that not even Allen himself could top it, nor does he need to. There is not a line unquotable or a word wasted. The visual gags are simply hilarious and extremely clever. The jokes themselves are not played for cheap laughs, but because there are funny and sometimes go beyond that.

The movie doesn’t just focus on relationships, but narcissism, drugs, politics, and religion in 70’s society. Whatever was on Allen’s mind at the time that he could not contain in his head.

Overall rating: We need those eggs

As you may know, this film is widely regarded as one of the top 20 movies of all time (and probably the most recent in that list. I've always thought that the people that make these lists are waaaay biased when it comes to era but that's a story for a blog). I've been an admirer of Woody Allen for some time and I thought I'd give the film that is considered to be his masterpiece another look.

Quite simply, this movie should be called "Woody Allen". While one may infer that Diane Keaton's character is the subject of the film, nothing could be further from the truth. As with other movies, this movie has an undercurrent of his insecurities that can not be denied.

At the beginning of the movie, Allen recalls his past relationships. For some odd reason, he seemed to be polar opposites in each relationship. In one he would be submissive and could not perform sexually and in another one he would be dominant and and confident in bed.

And then he meets Annie Hall. Annie is a complete nervous wreck andn this seems to put Allen at ease. They begin to date and she is encouraged to expand her horizons by singing at a club and reading books and taking classes. As time goes by, she becomes more confident and this threatens Allen's existence in the relationship. He breaks up with her but then wants to get back with her when she flourishes after their separation. They end up getting back together but by that time Allen has completely changed to being the jealous, overbearing type and he grows to resent all of the changes that she made (even though he had recommended them).

So in the end his relationship with Annie Hall was a microcosm of all of his other dating experiences. It was a fascinating case study in comfortability in a relationship and the jealousy and control that can occur when that comfort isn't there.

****** site note - didn't love it as much after watching it a few more times

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