Annie Hall

I enjoy the odd romantic comedy here and there. They never really impress me, and I tend to only watch them once (The exception being "Music And Lyrics", because of that catchy tune). Romantic comedies just tend to always feel like they follow the same formula, with maybe a twist here or there. But they always end on the relationship starting, when the film should be about the actual relationship.

Annie Hall is a -and possible the best- romantic comedy film. It focuses on the pros and cons of the relationship in a somewhat non-linear fashion. The script is smart, the dialogue fizzles beautifully and is delivered with stuttering elegance. This is the first Woody Allen film I've ever seen, so forgive me if I'm ignorant, but the style throughout the film is so unique: The fourth wall is there, but there are slight cracks through it, which the main character, Alvy, uses to talk to the audience as he expresses his problems. It's something I've never really seen before, and I love it.

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are perfect as Alvy and Annie. I absolutely love their chemistry throughout the film, and I wanted to see more of it when it was over, but still felt content with the meal this film presented me. This film is both totally 70's, and totally timeless, with some brilliant scenes and smart techniques to keep the audience engaged, such as the yellow subtitles bit when Alvy and Annie are having their first proper conversation.

Is this film flawed? Well, maybe. It might bore some people. It might confuse others. But as somebody who thinks that every movie needs to be fresh, special and rip-roaring, 'Annie Hall' is certainly something I can watch over and over, never getting tired of this beautiful film.

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