Fantastic

Rating: Null/10 (17 February 2009)

Woody Allen's Annie Hall is an entertaining look at how humans deal with relationships. Alvy is slightly lovable but also deplorable, and only figures out what he thinks he wants after he's alienated it away. The nonlinear story is enjoyable to follow as we get to know Alvie and Annie and what they mean to each other. We see them changing and growing apart while still having an undeniable connection in the relationship. Allen breaks the fourth wall repeatedly and in doing so brings us in closer to these characters until we are almost a friend he is confiding to. This film forces us to look at our own defects of character through seeing Alvie stumble along in his relationships. There are similar problems throughout his relationships and he of course is the greatest common denominator, as we often are when we step back and look at the patterns in our lives. Compare and contrast were tools used often in this film as illustrated by the use of a split screen shot as the couple sat in their individual therapy sessions. the audience gets to see as the dynamics in the relationship shifts and we get closer and closer to the end of their chapter together. The lighting and production design in this film played an important part in helping the audience follow the transitions in the characters lives, particularly when Annie Hall moves to CA and everything is brighter and harsher outside. Annie herself though looks lovely and healthy and happy as if to show how she has finally grown into the woman they both saw her becoming. A stand out scene for me was when the director used an effect to show Annie's spirit physically removing itself from her flesh and bones during sex with Alvy, and the characters discussed whether it was okay for her to be removed in that way. Allen brings humor and discussion to everyday life moments that we can all relate to. Whether we like the characters or not in this movie, we see reflections of our own awkwardness and the insanity that comes with being in relationships. This is the type of movie that is timeless because it centers around the common thread of how imperfect we are as humans, and how reassuring it is to not be alone in the insanity that we create in our minds.