Earlier this week, I featured Play It Again, Sam. Some of the commentators brought up Annie Hall so I dug out my copy and watched it for maybe the dozenth time. It’s still funny to me. Woody Allen plays Alvy Singer, a comedian whose approach to dating women is a little off. Alvy’s best friend, Rob (Tony Roberts), introduces Alvy to nightclub singer, Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Of course, Alvy falls in love with the ditzy Annie in a heartbeat.
True love never runs smooth and soon Alvy’s quirks drive Annie Hall into the arms of Tony Lacy (Paul Simon). It’s the old Boy-Gets-Girl, Boy-Loses-Girl, Boy-Gets-Girl back again formula. But, this formula worked for Annie Hall: it won four Oscars including Best Picture.
Yes, the world of Annie Hall back in 1977 was much different from today. But, think of this movie as comfort food for your mind. GRADE: A
Lah-di-dah.
I can still remember when we first saw this in 1977. As soon as he started talking about his past, his classmates, growing up in Coney Island (under the Cyclone!) I started laughing. I agree, we can all use a good laugh now.
Jeff, you’re right about all of us needing a good laugh right now. And ANNIE HALL delivers.
The recent discussion of “Play It Again, Sam” brought out a lot of mixed feelings about Woody Allen, but I’m guessing there’ll be more unanimity here since nearly everyone, regardless of their feelings about Woody, seems to love “Annie Hall”. I certainly do. Time to watch it again.
Michael, I was always struck by the on-screen chemistry between Diane Keaton and Woody Allen.
Manhattan and Annie Hall are my favorites. But in Manhattan, his pursuit of a young girl gives me pause.
Patti, MANHATTAN certainly exposes Woody Allen’s proclivities.
I think ANNIE HALL was the apex of Allen’s career and the last of his decade-long run of “funny movies” going back to WHAT’S UP, TIGER LILY. Unlike a lot of people, I didn’t care for MANHATTAN, which even at the time I found pointlessly cruel to the female characters—especially the ones Woody Allen’s character found unattractive. With ANNIE HALL, I think we have the perfect blend of neurotic/romantic Woody, hilarious script, a poignant story, and the right actress for the title role (since she was essentially playing herself, Diane Keaton was perfect). It’s a great movie, but I think you have to detach the current incarnation of Woody from his 1970s persona.
Deb, Jackie has always felt the same as you about MANHATTAN. She loves THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO and RADIO DAYS.
Deb, well said! MANHATTAN gets praised for the gorgeous Black & White cinematography and other artistic aspects. But, as you point out, some of the women are not treated with kindness and respect.
While there are still parts of this that I still like, the overall movie hasn’t held up as well for me as others here. I’m not sure why. It wasn’t always my favorite, that was Bananas, which didn’t hold up at all last time I watched it (years ago). Some do still hold up, but not as an all time favorite.
The one movie that has held up the longest for me is Bringing Up Baby. I still watch (at least parts of it) anytime TCM has it on.
Maggie, as Kent has pointed out, the last really good Woody Allen move was BLUE JASMINE.
I don’t recall that being one I’d want to watch again. I guess I just don’t like angst
Maggie, I’m a huge Cate Blanchett fan. She’s wonderful in MRS. AMERICA.
for those needing a laugh, the amazing Jeff Meyerson turned me on to this guy. I nearly sprained a rib laughing at this newest post. Almost makes me want to get on twitter to follow him.
MrAndrewCotter. sadly, the link didn’t copy. I saw 3 videos of his commentary to “competitions” between his 2 labs.
Maggie, if you want to laugh, check out my blog posting on Tuesday, May 5.
Nope, don’t like it. As previously stated, Bananas and Sleeper were the only two of his I liked.
Rick, I may have dig out my copy of SLEEPER and watch it again.
“Are we driving through plutonium?” is the line I remember.
Per Maggie’s comment, My “Watch It Whenever It’s On” comedy is His Girl Friday.
Art, you might be surprised to learn that I have a copy of HIS GIRL FRIDAY around here somewhere. Another movie I’ll have to watch in the weeks ahead.
Hilly hiding Williams in the roll top desk is a classic. Then Westlake took it to the next level and hid Dortmunder in a dishwasher.
I have to admit that I don’t remember any Woody Allen movies I might have watched.
Sometimes even the titles turned me off – Annie Hall had the German title “Die Stadtneurotiker” – The City neurotics.
Don’t know who chose this …
Wolf, at least the people choosing the German title of DIE STADNEUROTIKER for ANNIE HALL were accurate.
Glad you were able to revisit Annie Hall.
I saw this in Madison with a friend when it came out and our sides hurt from laughing.
I agree with Maggie for her choice of “watch whenever.” Bringing Up Baby never fails to make me laugh and, in my family, there are lots of great quoteworthy lines.
For me, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris was his last great movie. It was gorgeous – and I don’t even like Paris.