The basic story involves a neurotic, Jewish, stand
up comic, Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) and his developing relationship
with a daffy WASP, Annie Hall (Dianne Keaton). As the comedian's
career progresses, so does his relationship with the spaced -
out woman, who also grows as well in her career, and in her intellectual
ability and talent.
Annie Hall is a great date movie because it shows
the whole life span of a relationship, from the excitement of
a beginning romance to the last throws of a mismatched relationship.
If you were dating or had a relationship during the 1970's, this
film will bring back many memories.
In between incidences in this relationship journey, Alvy's past
experiences with old relationships, family, and experiences growing
up that effected how he now behaves and thinks, are creatively
intermingled in the tapestry of the story, much to the enlightenment
and entertainment of the audience.
This is the ideal Woody Allen film for all movie
fans. "He presents his problems and complexities in a comfortable
manner, you feel as if you're participating in his world instead
of spying on it, he's always quick to let the audience in on the
joke."
It has many great moments, the pacing and editing
are fabulous, and the script is very clever. One of the beginning
scenes of their relationship takes place on the patio of Annie's
city apartment, where Alvy and Annie are talking about photography.
As the conversation continues, underneath the picture there are
subtitles of what each is really thinking. Other Hilarious scenes
involving lobsters, spiders, elementary school, driving in California,
living under a roller coaster, and attending a big family dinner
at Annie's house, are among some of my other favorite scenes.
Alvy is Jewish, and of course the main course is ham!!
Another favorite scene involves Woody, Keaton,
and Walken. Walken plays Annie's brother, Duane. The three are
in Walken's room, after eating a big family dinner. When Annie
leaves the room for a minute, Walken, in an intense mood, asks
Woody if he ever gets the impulse, while driving at night, to
swerve into the oncoming traffic.
The scene quickly shifts to a car, at night, in
the rain. In the front seat we see Walken behind the wheel, fixated
on the road, with a weird stare as they drive along to the airport.
Keaton is in the middle, happy and oblivious, thinking about her
day tomorrow. The camera then pans to a bug-eyed, terrified Woody
riding shotgun.
Some future stars pop up in small roles. Alert
viewers will spot Sigourney Weaver, Beverly D'Angelo, and Jeff
Goldblum.
In addition to winning best picture, "Annie
Hall" won Oscars for actress (Keaton), Screenplay (Marshall
Brickman and Allen), and Direction (Allen).
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