Annie Hall (1977)
If Seinfeld was a movie.
Presentation:
If you like Seinfeld, you’ll probably like this film. This is probably Woody Allen’s most iconic film, a romcom in New York. When Woody Allen is at his best, he is witty and endearing. When he’s at his worst, you’ll roll your eyes the entire time. Whether you enjoy this film largely depends on if you interpret it as a romantic dramedy or funny romcom. It’s unlike any other director’s style, regularly breaking the fourth wall and injecting all his wit and personality. It’s evident he puts his entire soul into his films and this one is no different. He’s admittedly self-obsessed bordering on narcissistic, but redeems himself through his unapologetically hysterical, sarcastic and even smart dialogue. If the humors hits more than 50% of the time, you’ll recognize his unsympathetic brilliance. If not, he’ll just be insufferable. There are a lot of humorous mannerisms, jokes and edits, some that even feel like a Family Guy episode. Regardless of whether you like it, it’s undoubtedly one of a kind.
Conclusion:
If you liked Midnight in Paris, this may not be your cup of tea. His other more cinematic films like Manhattan are better to romanticize New York, this one does so through humor. Allen is clearly obnoxious, but he does grow on you. In order for this to work, the scenes have to hit more than they fail and I think he does so here. It’s also cool to see famous actors in their youth. In order to be funny, there has to be some truth to it, and Allen speaks a niche truism that only aspiring artists and intellectuals will probably understand. And when your guard is lowered, he finishes the film with that iconic line, speaking volumes of wisdom directly to the New Yorker.
Recommendations
When society becomes alien to mankind.