Annie Hall
Year: | 1977 |
Director: | Woody Allen |
Writer: | Woody Allen/Marshall Brickman |
Cast: | Woody Allen, Diane Lane, Paul Simon, Shelley Duvall, Christopher Walken, Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Goldblum |
It epitomises the on again, off again nature of relationships among New York neurotic upper classes, a life and world Allen inhabits beautifully.
His pleading jabbering, constant self-examination and neuroses were introduced to the world and they loved it as his character - a TV writer, falls in love with kooky Annie Hall (Lane) but they just can't get it together. Maybe because of their insecurities, maybe because they're incompatible - either way you're in for a treat that plays out like a Best Of compilation, featuring all Allen's trademarks.
It's territory he inhabits most comfortably and does the best; the foibles of love and relationships, what a mess we can make of our lives because of them and what a mess they can make of us.
To think it snatched Best Picture in 1977 from under Star Wars' nose and Allen wasn't even there - never having attended an Academy Awards because of a jazz gig.