Subtle yet hysterical

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2001)

I can't imagine anyone thinking "Annie hall" is "dull". Knowing the "Star Wars" fanaticism on the web, it's not surprising some science-fiction geeks would have antipathy sight-unseen for it winning Best Picture in 1977 (and I love science fiction -- but I love film even more.)
For one, "Star Wars" was a blockbuster -- and in the 70's, blockbusters, no matter how silly, got nominated. (See "The Towering Inferno"). Harrison Ford told George Lucas he couldn't write worth crap -- and even "Star Wars" isn't exactly original -- it's basically a bunch of one-dimensional "types" of characters. I preferred "The Empire Strikes Back" because it actually fleshed the characters out (being written by Lawrence Kasdan).

That said, "Annie Hall" was so original it's been copied endlessly by other filmmakers -- from "When Harry Met Sally..." to "Jeffrey". It's so subtle even fans of the film miss some of its points --
For instance, Alvy and Annie are never truly in love. In that famous "lurve" scene, for instance, Alvy basically twists Annie's arm to get her to say she loves him -- and she convinces herself. Meanwhile, Alvy avoids saying he loves her by using variations of the word ("I luff you, I lurve you...") Once the viewer realizes that, the rest of the movie changes, and you understand parts of the reason that Alvy's never had a truly successful relationship.
Even on totally face value, "Annie Hall" is extremely funny. From the lowbrow jokes -- "Don't knock masturbation! It's sex with someone I love!" "I'm with two guys named Cheech!" to the deviously sexy -- "Twins, Max! 16 years old. Think of the numerical possibilities!" to the clever -- "They're always giving awards -- Best Fascist Dictation: Adolf Hitler!" "Do they give out awards for that kind of music? I thought just earplugs." Who can't laugh at the animation fantasy in which he envisions Annie as the Wicked Queen from Snow White? ("I don't get a period! I'm a cartoon character!")
"Annie Hall" is Allen's best work, simply because it is one of the most imitated films ever, and, as we all know -- imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
One note-- even though the film is filled with cynicism and funny scenes, the ending always leaves me a little misty. It's wistful and touching.

I guess I just need the eggs.