Annie Hall (1997)

 

Genre: Romance/Comedy        Time: 1h 33mins        Director: Woody Allen

Quick Summary: Alvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.

I absolutely love how charming and witty this film is. It holds a special place in my heart. 

So Alvy, the main person we follow in this film narrates the film by constantly breaking the 4th wall and talking to the audience, simply adding his analysis or commentary to what is happening, and honestly I found it so enduring. The whole film is built on conversations and people and how they interact. Everyone talks, and it delves into the relationships between multiple people. 

They walk and talk, sit and talk, go to lunch, make love and talk, talk to the camera, or launch into inspired monologues. Boy, these monologues are so brilliant too. One of the best ones to me is Annie, talking about the memory of her narcoleptic Uncle George falling asleep and dying while waiting in line for a free turkey. It is all done in one take of brilliant brinksmanship, with Annie right on the edge of losing it.

The conversations between the pair are so entertaining to watch, like watching a game of verbal tennis. They switch up their pacing to match each other, constantly finding something to talk about, and they do it so naturally. They're eager to learn about each other and discover. Though they struggle with each other, refusing to accept this happiness they have found with each other. 

The majority of this film is about Alvy analyzing what went wrong in his life, especially with Annie. It somewhat stings, watching these scenes knowing they don't work out in the end, but there is somewhat something really nice watching them blossom with each other and how purely happy they acted together, but that is what this film explores. Life's up and downs, even if you are at your happiest things can change at the slightest fleeting moment of chance. 

There is also something captured in Annie which can't be described except in cliches: kookiness, wackiness, ditsiness, and a little bit silly. They have a sexual relationship, and yet Annie is not portrayed in a very sexualized way: she looks beautiful but shambolically a real person. Honestly, I really praise this film for that. 

This film is very touching and romantic but very sad at the same time. It is beautfully told and hits really deep. I love the depth this film goes into, exploring human nature and what can contribute to a failing relationship. It brings to light that, no they don't have to be abusive or toxic to not work out. People can still really care about one another but know their differences won't work out, yet still find a happiness with each other. 

9/10

• "I would never wanna belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member."

• "Don't knock masturbation. It's sex with someone I love"

• "In California, they don't throw their garbage away - they make it into TV shows."