"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."
In 2002 film critic Roger Ebert described Annie Hall as everyone's favourite Woody Allen movie and although I cannot comment on this statement (because to date it's the only one I've seen) the general consensus is that everyone does seem to love it. It is after all the one he is most famous for, it is the film that when asked to name a Woody Allen film, would first come to mind. It is also Allen's most critically acclaimed film, considered by many to be his 'magnus opus', that won four out of the five Oscars it was nominated for (Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Director and Best Writing) as well as scooping a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.
Out of curiosity alone I was eager to view it, eager to see if I agreed with the masses. It isn't often I feel the wow factor when viewing a comedy but this particular rom-com is often cited as one of the best around. However, on my first viewing I struggled. I laughed occasionally but wasn't particularly impressed. Allen certainly had written some great one liners into the script but around the 45 minute mark I was struggling and in the end, perhaps partly due to tiredness, I didn't view it in it's entirety.
So, refreshed, I gave it another go: Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) is a neurotic stand up comedian who regularly oozes witticism but constantly worries about Anti-Semitism amongst other things. Using the non-linear style of storytelling the film is an account of Alvy's life and ultimately his relationship with his very pretty, yet extremely ditsy girlfriend Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Both the high and low points of their relationship are shown until ultimately the low points become too much for the pair and, realising that they are completely different from one another, agree to split up. Annie moves to California leaving Alvy back in New York and they both move on with their lives both acquiring new partners. The two are eventually reunited when Annie returns to New York and they begin speaking again albeit only as friends.
Able on my second run through to watch it in its entirety I developed mixed feelings towards the film on the whole. On a positive note it is the way that Allen tells the story with such intelligence, employing such unique and quirky techniques unseen in modern day storytelling, that I enjoyed the most in Annie Hall. From split-screen gags (the one where both Alvy and Annie are being asked the same questions by two different shrinks and both giving the same answers but interpreting them different is genuinely hilarious) to the use of subtitles aiming to show us what people are 'really' thinking, from direct to camera narration to animation to the involvement in the story of random passers by make this a highly original piece of work.
Woody Allen's delivery of his numerous and hilarious one liners is amongst the best I've seen. Additionally, he and Keaton, as is well known, have great chemistry together and this, in a film that is packed with dialogue, a film where all Alvy and Annie do is talk and interact with one another, no matter what situation they are in, is obviously a great asset.
I also noticed something that Ebert refers to in his review of the film when he speaks of the anti-modern-day-Hollywood technique that Allen uses that we simply wouldn't find in any film released today. In the scene where Alvy and Annie are in the queue at the cinema and Alvy becomes increasingly angered at the man behind him expressing his opinions about film director Federico Fellini Ebert notes that a scene like this simply would not be found in a 2009 release due to censorship of any material to which would not be recognised and therefore understood by numerous, in fact the majority, of casual film goers. But no such censorship occurred in the 1970's and the result allows for the occurrence of dialogue between our two main characters to feel real and off the cuff instead of forced.
But Annie Hall, despite these positives, is not a film I fell in love with and I think the reason that I will eternally fail to love it yet still give it the highest of respect for it's technical achievements, excellent script and originality is because as a story it flits around way too much. I have no problem with non-linear story lines or flashbacks but for me Allen just over did it slightly, it flowed too quickly for my liking, going back and forth at rapid speed, meaning that I was never totally engrossed in Alvy and Annie's relationship. And that is where my criticism stops. It seems I can only muster up four and a half lines of negativity about this film before my mind becomes blank of criticisms yet these four lines affected my enjoyment of Annie Hall significantly.
If I had to rate a film solely on the techniques used to tell its story Annie Hall would firmly be in my top 10 but I don't and sadly my lack of care for the rise and demise of Alvy and Annie's relationship lets down what is otherwise a very funny picture. Annie Hall is a film I so want to love but for some reason I only have a respectful liking towards it. It certainly isn't a bad film and most will love it and it certainly hasn't put me off Woody Allen as a director, in fact it has made me even more interested in pursuing his work and I look forward to Manhattan, the film of his I intend to view next.
Rating: 7/10 - recommended
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