Woody Allen's classic comedy. Sweet, funny as hell, smart as I don't know what--insightful about relationships and their many foibles. Annie Hall just hits on all cylinders.

I'm also into leather.

I was introduced to and became a fan of Diane Keaton because of this film.

Love it. One of my all time favorite movies.

I watched "Whatever Works" the other day (also by Woody Allen) and noticed that both movies had a very similar vibe to them. Later I found out that Whatever Works was written around the same time as Annie Hall. Took him a few decades to turn that screenplay into a film.

Well, if this film is not funny then there is no such thing as any film that can be funny, since this is the top funniest film ever made. I can't think of any other as funny or as witty.

2freaky4church1 said:

Woody Allen's classic comedy. Sweet, funny as hell, smart as I don't know what--insightful about relationships and their many foibles. Annie Hall just hits on all cylinders.

I'm also into leather.

Brendan said:

It's a movie that was powerful enough to spawn a sub genre that is filled with countless like-minded attempts that are often leagues apart in either funny or smart

KoolEaze said:

Love it. One of my all time favorite movies.

I watched "Whatever Works" the other day (also by Woody Allen) and noticed that both movies had a very similar vibe to them. Later I found out that Whatever Works was written around the same time as Annie Hall. Took him a few decades to turn that screenplay into a film.

Whatever Works (which I liked very much) was written for Zero Mostel. Woody shelved it when he died.

Judd Apatow's films are a lot like Allen, except Apatow does more juvenile centered, more dirty. He is clever in that he sees smarts in dumb people. lol

I saw it a couple of years ago, and I agree. Definitely worthy of its hype and accolades.

Allen's character's existential monologue in Hanna and Her Sisters was great, but the opening sequence of Annie Hall is time-capsule classic.

I would say Hannah is a better film.

You should also check out Crimes and Misdemeaners, it is more serious but says wonderful things about evil and how good people can turn bad and how unfair life can be. Amazing. One of my alltime faves.

I have tried and tried to like this film. But none of the angst-ridden films from the 70s appeal to me in any way.

I put this Annie Hall in the same category with Five Easy Pieces, which is also highly rated - and which I hate with a passion.

[Edited 5/9/13 8:11am]

not only his best movie, quite possibly his last great movie (at least until Crimes & Misdemeanors)

although the romantic comedy between Woody/Diane Keaton is the core of the film/script, I enjoy the film more for the postmodernist touches (introducing cartoon segments, breaking the fourth wall, multiple flashbacks, disjointed narrative, internal monologues, pop culture jokes, etc)

after Annie Hall, Woody fully embraced the realistic drama/comedy genres, and he lost half of his potential, in my opinion (he works best when he uses postmodernist techniques or magic realism- Zelig, Purple Rose of Cairo, Deconstructing Harry, Midnight in Paris, etc)

I still watch Annie Hall regularly, but I'll be damned if I watch overrated films like Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters or Match Point again

[Edited 5/9/13 8:43am]

2freaky4church1 said:

I would say Hannah is a better film.

I can't disagree. Hannah has one of the greatest casts of that era, and really gives a great feel for different parts of the City at that time. I probably liked Hannah a little better but IMHO (as a relative Allen novice) Annie Hall is a blueprint for the films that would follow -- Allen's and everyone else's.

2freaky4church1 said:

I would say Hannah is a better film.

Like Woody himself, I, too, was not happy with the ending of Hannah.

2freaky4church1 said:

You should also check out Crimes and Misdemeaners, it is more serious but says wonderful things about evil and how good people can turn bad and how unfair life can be. Amazing. One of my alltime faves.

Crimes and Misdemeanors is one of the best films ever. Period.

Ace said:

2freaky4church1 said:

I would say Hannah is a better film.

Like Woody himself, I, too, was not happy with the ending of Hannah.

that ending ruined an already irrelevant (yet extremely well-written) movie about typically unhappy newyorkers...

JoeTyler said:

not only his best movie, quite possibly his last great movie (at least until Crimes & Misdemeanors)

although the romantic comedy between Woody/Diane Keaton is the core of the film/script, I enjoy the film more for the postmodernist touches (introducing cartoon segments, breaking the fourth wall, multiple flashbacks, disjointed narrative, internal monologues, pop culture jokes, etc)

after Annie Hall, Woody fully embraced the realistic drama/comedy genres, and he lost half of his potential, in my opinion (he works best when he uses postmodernist techniques or magic realism- Zelig, Purple Rose of Cairo, Deconstructing Harry, Midnight in Paris, etc)

I still watch Annie Hall regularly, but I'll be damned if I watch overrated films like Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters or Match Point again

While I still think Manhattan is somewhat overrated, it does have some great stuff in it and the cinematrography (Gordon Willis) is spectacular. I think all of these are great:

Zelig

Broadway Danny Rose

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Alice

Shadows and Fog

Husbands and Wives

Deconstructing Harry

Celebrity

Match Point

Whatever Works

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

JoeTyler said:

Ace said:

Like Woody himself, I, too, was not happy with the ending of Hannah.

that ending ruined an already irrelevant (yet extremely well-written) movie about typically unhappy newyorkers...

Irrelevant? I dunno. There's a lotta great stuff in Hannah. I just agree with the Woodman that the ending was overly sentimental and, really, tied up a complex film with a bit of a maudlin bow.

Ace said:

JoeTyler said:

not only his best movie, quite possibly his last great movie (at least until Crimes & Misdemeanors)

although the romantic comedy between Woody/Diane Keaton is the core of the film/script, I enjoy the film more for the postmodernist touches (introducing cartoon segments, breaking the fourth wall, multiple flashbacks, disjointed narrative, internal monologues, pop culture jokes, etc)

after Annie Hall, Woody fully embraced the realistic drama/comedy genres, and he lost half of his potential, in my opinion (he works best when he uses postmodernist techniques or magic realism- Zelig, Purple Rose of Cairo, Deconstructing Harry, Midnight in Paris, etc)

I still watch Annie Hall regularly, but I'll be damned if I watch overrated films like Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters or Match Point again

While I still think Manhattan is somewhat overrated, it does have some great stuff in it and the cinematrography (Gordon Willis) is spectacular. I think all of these are great:

Zelig

Broadway Danny Rose

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Alice

Shadows and Fog

Husbands and Wives

Deconstructing Harry

Celebrity

Match Point

Whatever Works

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

you know, Woody is like Prince, nearly all of their movies/albums are worth watching/listening, but not all of 'em are great

namepeace said:

2freaky4church1 said:

I would say Hannah is a better film.

I can't disagree. Hannah has one of the greatest casts of that era, and really gives a great feel for different parts of the City at that time. I probably liked Hannah a little better but IMHO (as a relative Allen novice) Annie Hall is a blueprint for the films that would follow -- Allen's and everyone else's.

I went through a period where I was kind of sick of all the Annie Hall love and considered it - like Hannah & Her Sisters - overly romantic for my tastes. But then I saw it again farily recently and it reminded me how stunningly innovative it was and, yes, incredibly influential. And I like this part from the end:

After that, it got pretty late and we both had to go. But it was great seeing Annie again. I realized what a terrific person she was and how much fun it was just knowing her.

JoeTyler said:

Ace said:

While I still think Manhattan is somewhat overrated, it does have some great stuff in it and the cinematrography (Gordon Willis) is spectacular. I think all of these are great:

Zelig

Broadway Danny Rose

The Purple Rose of Cairo

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Alice

Shadows and Fog

Husbands and Wives

Deconstructing Harry

Celebrity

Match Point

Whatever Works

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

you know, Woody is like Prince, nearly all of their movies/albums are worth watching/listening, but not all of 'em are great

We need to mock Genesia. lol

---------

On another site a women I know says she thinks Woody hates women. She may have a point. He does not do women charactors very well.

For me it's about the overall art of the films. His later films started to really go bad. Then he went to europe and had a revival. Match Point, even though it is a drama, is amazing.

The Rome film went nowhere. The Paris one is great.

Another fun film is Manhattan Murder Mystery. Not great art but a laugh riot.

I agree with ACE, Manhattan is overrated. It's not even funny.

Another film to look for his Deconstructing Harry. It has a mean spirted edge, but is really well done. The plot is fun.

2freaky4church1 said:

He does not do women charactors very well.

You really think so? He's greatly acclaimed for his female characters and they've won Academy Awards for Diane Keaton, Dianne Wiest, Mira Sorvino and Penelope Cruz (and nominations for others). There's already Oscar buzz for Cate Blanchett's performance in the upcoming Blue Jasmine.

I agree with ACE, Manhattan is overrated. It's not even funny.

I think it's funny and very, very good. Just overrated.

Another film to look for his Deconstructing Harry.

Deconstructing Harry is excellent.

Ace said:

2freaky4church1 said:

You should also check out Crimes and Misdemeaners, it is more serious but says wonderful things about evil and how good people can turn bad and how unfair life can be. Amazing. One of my alltime faves.

Crimes and Misdemeanors is one of the best films ever. Period.

I completely agree. It's one of my favourite films.

damosuzuki said:

Ace said:

Crimes and Misdemeanors is one of the best films ever. Period.

I completely agree. It's one of my favourite films.