A Woody Allen masterpiece

Rating: 8/10 (20 November 2010)

Wildly imaginative, surreal, and sophisticated, Annie Hall is one of Woody Allen's most high quality and finely tuned films. It is a reflection on himself, society, and the ideals of relationships. In the film Allen plays comedian Alvy Singer, a neurotic and pessimistic man whose views on the world are dark and brooding, yet displayed in the most sardonic and sarcastic kind of dry humor that Woody Allen is known for. His girlfriend is Annie Hall, played by Diane Keaton. She is equally neurotic, yet much more optimistic about the world which leads her to very ditsy and almost naive. These two polar opposite personalities somehow fall in love, creating an adorable, awkward, and very real relationship. The film is an insightful and innovative look into 70's romance.
Woody Allen's unique film techniques that almost cannot be defined in words are extremely prevalent in this movie. There are many moments that existentially reflect the characters relationships with each other and the world around them. Allen employs things like breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience. Various times in the movie the characters will visit one location and see themselves in scenes that took place in the past. It's weird to put it in words like that, but the way it is used in the film is incredibly effective and interesting, while also giving me a good laugh as the characters non chalantly react to their own memories. The characters continue this feeling of, in a way, self awareness that they are in a cinematic vision, allowing the director to show them what he pleases, when Allen even uses subtitles in one scene to reflect what the characters are thinking when they say certain things, once more conveying a self reflection of their own subconscious. The incredibly creative things Woody Allen puts in this movie are some things that you really just have to see for yourself, and describing them simply in words doesn't at all do it justice.
Annie Hall wouldn't be such a great movie if it wasn't carried so well by the two lead actors. Woody Allen's three way talent between a director, writer, and actor is absolutely amazing. He and Diane Keaton drive this film so well, and the amount of strange and authentic chemistry they have together is something so unique and fantastically unconventional. This on screen romance plays out and is orchestrated with such simple brilliance, setting this film far apart from most romances. Woody Allen is an expert with characters, and a lot of that is due to his own bizarre and complicated personality. So many of Allen's films can be interpreted as autobiographical, giving them all a very personal experience reflected for the audience. At the same time, if films like Annie Hall are self reflective of Allen, they are also very self critical. Allen exemplifies all of his characters flaws so strongly, often pointing them out himself. But its this kind of dedication and personal importance of Allen's films that make them one of a kind.
You'll never find a director quite like Woody Allen. All of his films have their own unique spark, and odd quirk to them. Annie Hall is no exception. It is so strange, yet at the same time feels so normal because Allen's unique ability at constructing the most authentic character studies seen in cinema. It's difficult to put some of the originality of Annie Hall into words and it is one of those films you have to see for yourself to understand its subtle and estranged brilliance.