Considered to be “Woody Allen’s breakthrough movie” (Time), Annie Hall won four Oscars, including Best Picture, and established Allen as the premier auteur filmmaker. Thought by many critics to be Allen’s magnum opus, Annie Hall confirmed that he had, “completed the journey from comic to humorist, from comedy writer to wit [and] from inventive moviemaker to creative artist” (Saturday Review). Alvy Singer (Allen) is one of Manhattan’s most brilliant comedians, but when it comes to romance, his delivery needs a little work. Introduced by his best friend, Rob (Tony Roberts), Alvy falls in love with the ditzy but delightful nightclub singer, Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). When his own insecurities sabotage the affair, Annie is forced to leave Alvy for a new life and lover (Paul Simon) in Los Angeles. Knowing he may have lost Annie forever, Alvy’s willing to go to any lengths even driving L.A.’s freewaysto recapture the only thing that ever mattered – true love. Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Janet Margolin
Directed by: Woody Allen
Runtime: 93 minutes
Studio: MGM
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Woody Allen’s romantic comedy is a study of relationships with one in particular between a comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) and Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Alvy and Annie have split up a year before and Alvy is struggling to make sense of where it all went wrong. He takes us back through his life beginning with a difficult childhood where he veers from concern about the end of the universe to early sexual awakening. Alby becomes a stand up comedian and has two unsatisfying marriages before meeting Annie. They seem like a perfect match, have fun together and for Alvy in particular they have a good sex life. However, as time passes by cracks begin to appear in the relationship.
While Alvy has his comedy, Annie enjoys singing in clubs and is later noticed by record producer Tony Lacey (Paul Simon) who invites her to Los Angeles. This opportunity coupled with Alvy’s maladjustment with Annie’s family are just a selection of the reasons why the relationship begins to go wrong until we reach the inevitable separation. Alvy goes in search of the truth behind a good relationship, desperate to unearth the secrets but he cannot find consistent answers. The mystery remains. Missing Annie, Alvy is tempted to go to Los Angeles to try and win her back but is he successful or are they destined to not be together?
Annie Hall is more than worth its plaudits and the four Oscars that it garnered. A great cast, fabulous script and some memorable exchanges from start to finish make this one unmissable. Though it doesn’t have the happiest of endings, Annie Hall is an injection of realism in the difficult world of relationships but it has a lot of heart.
Verdict: 5/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 786 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.
