My Favorite Film of All Time

Rating: Null/10 (14 September 2011)

Annie Hall (1977)
**** (out of 4)
Woody Allen's Oscar-winning masterpiece has him playing Alvy Singer, a paranoid writer who recounts his up and down relationship with Annie Hall (Diane Keaton), a wannabe singer. I'll admit right up front that ANNIE HALL is my favorite movie of all time. No matter what type of mood I'm in, I can push play on this film and it makes me laugh each time. Many people say this is the film where Allen really grew up and I think I'd have to agree. While he made several very good movies before this one, I think there's a really terrific structure here that we probably wouldn't have gotten earlier in his career. The film flashes from various points in the story and I really think this jumping around structure made for a much better picture. I love how we start off seeing the couple in happy times and then we flash back to how they met. I also enjoyed the clever little touches that Allen threw in including the sequence where they discuss Annie's previous boyfriends and we see the Allen and Keaton characters go back to those "dates" and question what she was thinking going out with these men. Several movie rules are broken here including Allen stopping the actual film with his character talking directly to the audience but this works so well and gets so many laughs that you can't help but love when it happens. Just check out the flashback sequence of Allen in his classroom and the kids begin to talk about where they are currently in their lives. This sequence should have fallen flat on its face but it's just so loving and tender that you can't help but laugh. The film also has some terrificly nice drama, a fine romance and of course the laughs. I would argue that this is without question one of the greatest screenplays from Allen because there's just so much going on and it just comes off as being a full character study. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that the two stars have so much terrific chemistry together. Allen and Keaton were involved with each other at this time so perhaps a lot of the chemistry is real but no matter if it was real or if they were acting, the two characters are perfectly brought to life. I think Allen has never been funnier in his career as this paranoid character is one he's played many times but never better than here. Keaton, who rightfully won an Oscar, comes off so charming and real that you can't help but love her. The supporting cast features some fine performances with Tony Roberts really standing out. Other familiar faces include Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Shelley Duvall and Christopher Walken in a hilarious bit. ANNIE HALL is my favorite film of all time but even with a critical eye, I think the film works so well that even those who hate Allen should enjoy it. It's the perfect mix of comedy and drama but it also has fun with the East Coast vs. West Coast. The film is full of laughs but it also has a heart and this really makes it one of the greatest love stories out there.