Annie Hall (1977)

As I go through my list of movies, I have taken to writing notes while I watch them. Sometimes they are about how the angle of the camera reflects the mood the director is trying to achieve or certain things characters say that seem significant. However, the only note I have aboutAnnie Hall is "I already love it (00:07:20)." Though this is the first and only Woody Allen movie I have seen, I can say without a doubt that it is his greatest; Annie Hall is his gem.

Throughout the film, Allen maintains an element of sincerity making it easy for the audience to relate to his characters and storyline. I think it is the film's honesty that left me in tears by the end.

What I loved most about Annie Hall was that the time line was clear without it being entirely laid out for the viewer. The scenes were construed in a manner that illustrated the way a person's memories operate--they are random, yet related; some become skewed as time goes on while others are romanticized. Allen pulls this off beautifully.

Another wonderful aspect of Annie Hall is its ability to mimic real life: it has funny moments with serious undertones, as well as serious moments with funny undertones. And, as it happens for most people, when one looks back on any moment of the past it becomes amusing.

Throughout Annie Hall, Allen plays with the film which adds to its whimsical nature. Alvy asks advice from people on the street who answer as though they are entirely knowledgeable about the situation; he adds in animated characters; he has split screen dialogue. My favorite of his film tricks, however, is the subtitles showing what Alvy and Annie are really thinking as they converse about art. Allen's innovative usage of these tricks has influenced movies ever since, most notably 500 Days of Summer.

Overall, it is easy to see why Annie Hall remains a relevant classic over thirty years after its release. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this film.