Annie Hall (1977)

Annie Hall
Directed by Woody Allen
Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman
1977/US
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Alvy Singer: A relationship, I think, is like a shark. You know? It has to constantly move forward or it dies. And I think what we got on our hands is a dead shark.

I loved this on original release and on every viewing since.  A “nervous” romantic comedy but one of the very best.

Alvie Singer (Woody Allen) is a stand-up comedian and writer who lives in New York City.  In fact, the prototypical Woody Allen character, a Jewish wise guy and neurotic.  He has had much woman trouble in his life including two divorces.  One day, his friend Rob (Tony Roberts) invites him to play doubles tennis with Roberts’ girlfriend and Annie Hall (Diane Keaton).  There is an immediate attraction.  Annie is a white-bread Mid-Westerner and pretty insecure.  The couple take the first tentative steps to romance.

They fall in love.  Alvie pays for her analysis and encourages her to read the kind of books he likes – morose contemplations on death.  She gradually becomes more confident.  Confident enough to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer.  She also starts attending college classes and liking them.

They move in together.  The normal stresses and strains of domesticity emerge.  She is growing and he is not.  She is invited to Los Angeles to cut a record and loves it there.  Alvie hates the place.  The inevitable break-up is bittersweet.  With Carol Kane and Janet Margolin as Alvie’s ex-wives; Paul Simon as himself under another name; Colleen Dewhurst as Annie’s mother and Christopher Walken as her demented brother.  Sigourney Weaver made her film debut in this movie.  Blink and you will miss her as Alvie’s post-break-up date.

This movie is funny and wise at the same time.  I like that Allen put the entire blame on his relationship difficulties on himself.  Diane Keaton is utterly radiant.  The whole thing just works.  Star Wars fans may disagree but I think this film deserved all its awards.

Annie Hall won Academy Awards in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director,  Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.  Allen was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.