Still Crazy After All These years?

Rating: 8/10 (4 October 2019)

It's still got it. We're now at October 2019 and Annie Hall is still funny, engrossing and relevant. I first saw this film as a teenager when it came out in 1977. I've seen it four or five times since but not in the last 10-15 years. Allen's film is still different enough to seem new and is not embarrassing because of it's age. Jokes, opinions, filming style even clothes fashion haven't dated. Diane Keaton for instance still dresses amazingly in places with looks that wouldn't be out of place in a films or even bohemian life today. In fact what has changed for me over the years watching this film is Keaton. When I first saw Annie Hall I saw her as Allen's stooge. Someone he used to bounce jokes and ideas off but, now, gradually, over the years, I've come to see Allen as more like just the gag man. I watch Annie Hall now and think the film is so aptly named because it is the character Annie Hall, even more than Albie, who is central to the film and Keaton's playing of her is such a perfect mix of the naive, ditzy and girl wanting to experience life. Yes, still a film I would watch again.