Annie Hall

Annie Hall is regarded as Woody Allen's most popular movie. For those on the fringes of movie fandom it is most likely candidate for an Allen movie that they know. I am not a Woody Allen fan. I would have to admit that I have only seen a few of his movies, have started more than I have finished and do not find him altogether that funny.

I do remember years ago, and I mean like decades ago watching the skit in Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask about the queen with the chastity belt with Allen as a court jester determined to break in. Even then I, while interested in the subject matter, thought that Allen's broad farce was a bit beyond me.

In Annie Hall Allen tones much of that down. He still employs farce, the fourth wall comes down frequently, he talks to the audience often, but it is within the context of the story so is not too disruptive.

Far be it from me to critique a director as successful as Woody Allen, my guess is that his life experience, the New York city Jewish experience just does not lend itself to a wide viewership.

That said this movie was enjoyable. Allen's character Alby Singer is telling the story of his relationship with Annie Hall. Annie is a free spirit that Alby met playing tennis and their attraction is mutual. Played by Diane Keaton at her loveliest time Keaton is glowing in this picture. Tall and lithe compared to Allen's small non athletic frame they are certainly not a pair one would imagine in real life or on the screen. Alby at various times in the movie introduces us to his childhood, where he appears as a precocious youngster challenging his mother, and to his previous relationships.

Alby has a tough time with relationships. Wanting an exceptional sex life he often feels disappointed and is so insecure he usually recognizes that he is the problem. With Annie it begins so differently. On their first date he watches her sing, she is a torch singer at a dinner club, and when they end up in bed later it is, for Alby, a revelatory experience. When Annie lights up a joint after however the shine comes off the night for Alby. Later he notices that Annie only wants to make love after she has gotten stoned and his insecurities come raging back.

Perhaps Annie and Alby are destined to fail. Allen plays his typical character, whiny and unlikable, while Keaton is, frankly, a girl I would have liked to know. Flaky, fun and passionate I can only tell you that Alby blows it in this movie.

The movie won Best Picture in 1977 along with directing and writing awards for Allen. To me this seems a bit much. Certainly it would seem there must have been a better movie than this that year. It is a good movie with a few chuckles, anything beyond that however is a stretch.