Woody Allen has a reputation as one of the kings of art house cinema. His minimalistic style and emphasis on dialogue over action helped define the indie scene of the 70s and every decade afterwards. While his third film "Bananas" was what got him noticed by the burgeoning scene of New Hollywood, it would take his eighth film "Annie Hall" to bring him into the public spotlight. Since its 1977 release, it has become considered one of the greatest films of all time, being chosen for preservation in the Library of Congress. It has also become heavily influential, becoming the backbone of films such as "When Harry Met Sally," "Chasing Amy" and "500 Days of Summer." However, as discussed last week, influence doesn't mean a film holds up. Let's see if cinema's indie darling turned favorite punching bag left us anything with his breakthrough hit.
Neurotic comedian Alvy Singer (Allen) falls in love with a young woman named Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). The film chronicles their relationship of turbulent passion as well as Alvy's struggles to cooperate with the rest of the world.
The usual formula for storytelling is to make the protagonist an everyman. You make them relatable to the average, movie-going audience so that they can connect more with their struggles. This usually involves giving him problems that most people can relate to: money troubles, being an underdog or even throwing them into a life or death situation, etc. "Annie Hall," however, doesn't do that. Instead, Alvy is a well-off, high-strung, eccentric creative with very few urgent problems and a very different way of looking at the world. While this may turn off some viewers, it's incredibly welcoming for somebody like me. There are very few movies or shows or stories of any kind that specifically target the personalities of nervous cinephiles who struggle to interact normally with the rest of the world.
The film has a very abnormal sense of humor. While a lot of the humor is based off of dialogue and situational comedy, the best jokes are surreal swipes at the fourth wall. The film opens with Alvy speaking directly to the audience, a joke that becomes a motif throughout the film. In another scene, Alvy and Annie are having a conversation and are given subtitles telling the audience what they're actually thinking. There's even a cutaway to a short cartoon. And somehow all of this never feels out of place with the tone. Because Alvy has very few pressing problems, the film is allowed to have a laid-back, just go with it kind of feel.
Recommended
The film is good on a technical level. The set and costume design cooperate harmoniously, portraying a New York City that's clean and classy. The cinematography, while standard for a majority of the film, occasionally has a good shot that helps tell the story. For example, there's a shot where somebody is hitting on Annie while only Alvy's silhouette is seen at the edge of the frame.
The acting is good from a majority of the cast, with Keaton in particular shining as Annie. She perfectly portrays the character's love for Alvy, but also the exasperation that comes with dating somebody so neurotic. I would say Woody Allen's performance is good, but if I had to guess he was just playing himself.
An interesting aspect of the film is that it barely has any score. This actually adds to the immersion of the film; with no disembodied music constantly playing in the background, it's easier to believe that the film you're watching is actually happening. It's also less distracting, as you don't have to divide your attention between the plot and the music.
The only aspect of the film I can see that makes it generationally unique is its emphasis on sex in a relationship. The second-wave feminist movement had been a major social influencer in the decade previously, changing cultural perception of relationships. There was a lot more focus put on sex in a relationship and this film really reflects that new-found emphasis.
"Annie Hall" is a movie made for a specific type of person. If you're a neurotic, nitpicky, cynical cinephile who feels like you have trouble navigating society at large, then "Annie Hall" might as well have been made specifically for you. If, however, you're an otherwise mentally/emotionally balanced human being, largely unperturbed by pesky mental quirks or a tendency to overthink things, you'll still find it an engaging curiosity. It's a well-made film with a lot of great jokes, a fascinating main character and a sweet, heartfelt relationship at its core.
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