This is a particularly rich and indulgent Woody Allen romantic-comedy in which he breaks all the rules and shamelessly ridicules his own pet hates. It is utterly enjoyable and we should be grateful for its timely re-release by the BFI.
Annie Hall, a 'nervous romance' contains all the hallmarks of Allen's work that we have become familiar with - an obsession with psychoanalysis and the plight of the artist, a love for New York and Allen in the lead role as a neurotic comedian/writer. On its first release in 1977 it won four Academy Awards, (which adds spice to Allen's dig about LA's over enthusiasm for award ceremonies late in the film).
The story, told entirely through flashback, is an examination of how Alvy Singer's (Allen) relationship with Annie Hall (Diane Keaton) gradually fell apart. It is filled with psychological dissection and numerous Freudian references - in fact the whole narrative is framed by two famous Freudian jokes.
The chief pleasure lies in Allen's poignant observational humour in which he makes fun of his own various peer groups in particular the film world. He creates some hysterical archetypal characters such as a pretentious actor, an overly intellectual film-critic, some fickle star-struck fans, aloof musicians, and various pampered Hollywoodites, but none more comical than his own character - the familiar New York Jewish writer.
It has become a cliché that the Jewish have a great sense of humour about themselves (in fact in a memorable episode of Seinfeld, another great Jewish comedian, Jerry notes an Anglo-Saxon character who converts to Judaism just to be part of the in-jokes). But here Allen proves himself the master, outrageously playing a character obsessively paranoid about anti-Semitism. His juxtaposition of Annie's stereotypical classic American 'Jew hating' family and his own Jewish upbringing is particularly hilarious.
Perhaps the most lasting achievement of this film though is the little technical innovations Allen uses, which have been imitated time and time and again - subtitles to show what Annie and Alvy's real thoughts whent hey first meet, Allen inserting his adult self into flashbacks to his childhood, talking direct to the camera, a short animation sequence. It is totally self-indulgent but he doesn't try to hide it and at one point even attacks a pretentious intellectual in a cinema queue for criticising a director's self-indulgence.
It's clever stuff, but most of all its very good fun and worth viewing again on the big screen no matter how many times you've seen it on the small.
Reviewed by Joseph Oakley
Reader comments about Annie Hall
Lawrence Chilnick (larry.chilnick@nyu.edu) writes:
While mostly on target about this great movie (second only to Manhattan)Mr. Oakley is not correct in referring to people who practice Judaism as "The Jewish." Being Jewish is not the same as "being Irish." Not all Irish are Catholic or Protestant. Nor are they categorized as The Catholic etc. when describing how they view each other. You may be The Donald but you are not The Jewish, unless you describe yourself as something like "Joshua The Jewish."
What is correct is that Jews do have a strong sense of humor (as do other religious and ethnic groups) about themselves, following a long tradition. I don't know whether or not Seinfeld would consider himself a Jewish commedian or would Billy Crystal in the same way Jackie Mason or Mel Brooks might. The basis for that determination might have more to do with the nature of the comedy than their religious affiliations. Mason and Brooks refer directly to The Jewish (that's the correct reference) experience re: discrimination, family relationships and business.
Of course, the most salient point of the movie--which Mr. Oakley also misses is that Annie Hall is the quintessential shicksa that every Jewish boy allegedly worships (see The Heartbreak Kid) and is a great part of the attraction to Woody. Also missed is the amazing cameo by Christopher Walken as Annie's insane brother.
just a few thoughts. but it is a great movie
Derek Baldwin (DJBNJB@aol.com) writes:
Wonderful film but what a shame Woody Allen has rehashed it so many times since. Fewer films of greater quality ought to have been the way to go. As the years have passed they just blur one into the other. Don't get me wrong, most of Woody's films - the ones I've seen anyway - have entertaining moments and charms of their own. But once you've seen a half-dozen you've seen them all. Just make sure that Annie Hall is one of that half-dozen (and Sleeper). And avoid Manhattan Murder Mystery AT ALL COSTS!!! it sucks big-time.
someone (dcyspm@yahoo.com) writes:
Seinfeld is a great comic? Woody Allen was a great standup comic. Seinfeld's comedy is lame. He was a good straight man in his eponymous series. The monologues were so dull they did not even stink.
Mike Carter (mikejc74@hotmail.com) writes:
What people forget is that Annie Hall was the first romantic comedy. No honestly. I mean it. The first. Allen's achievement was to make grown up relationships funny in themselves. And noone had done that before. It has no need of screwball, farce or clowning like, say, some like it hot,or bringing up baby or any number of its predecessors.
Few films invent a genre - so before criticising woody for rehashing Annie Hall its worth rememebering many others have - sleepless in seatle, my best friends wedding, kissing jennifer stein anybody?
A classic, funny and very important film.
Ghost of Kage (Email address withheld) writes:
Woody Allen at his best. It's funny, and that's all that's neccesary for a good comedy. I enjoy it, and that's the bottom line. Anyone who's seen any of his newer films, could use this to wash out their systems.
Scott P. [P is for Proactive] (Email address withheld) writes:
Being a fan of many of Woody Allen's movies, it seems a shame that his more recent film's have been so poor. So in order to refresh the mind of younger movie gowers, watch this brilliant and funny film. As much as you say about Directing, Acting and production values, it's the humour that always shines through, and you can't help but laugh at times during the film. Along with Manhattan and Hannah and her Sisters, this is an Allen classic, no denying it.
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