Comedy and then some.

Rating: Null/10 (13 May 2011)

Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" is a romantic comedy that likely defined the genre after it's release. The style of comedy found in "Annie Hall" sets itself apart from many other comedies that come before it in that it employs more social commentary and "big questions" (such as the meaning of life)throughout the writing. Woody Allen has a affliction that possesses him to be overly neurotic in everything he does. This ultimately leads to his films having more messages and meanings to them then one would find in a more traditional comedy. "Annie Hall" itself employs a variety of devices that make it stand out as film, comedy or otherwise. The fourth wall is broken often and characters have a tendency to break out of their scenes to explain a concept or situation, sometimes stress a point, and talk to the audience. This is sometimes used in a different manner such as flashbacks. A scene in particular takes our lead character back to his childhood and he describes his first jumps into romance and the significance of the human race. However instead of being a recount of events it is merely the characters as they are only in their past situations and remarking on what events were like. This method is clever and funny, meaning it is essentially doing it's job. The film explores Woody Allen's life, even though it is not meant to do so, and is a film that touches the lives of anyone who has experienced romance in the same manner as Allen and those who have feelings similar to his. The clever and intelligent writing along with reality sometimes being thrown out the window makes "Annie Hall" a wonderful comedy that not everyone will enjoy but can generally understand.