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Woody Allen brilliantly captures the classic neurotic, paranoid, cynical, morbid, guilt-ridden New York Jewish male in his Academy Award®-winning masterpiece. Co-starring Diane Keaton as transplanted midwesterner Annie Hall, Allen's story hilariously depicts their interfaith relationship – one that is doomed to failure by vast cultural and emotional differences.
Allen plays Alvy Singer, a comedy writer who reflects on his childhood, career, ex-wives and girlfriends, and, especially, his romance with Hall. Through freewheeling flashbacks – some based in reality and others in fantasy – Singer recalls where he went wrong, and where he went right. The chemistry between Allen and Keaton is sublime, making this film an absolute gem.
1977, 94 mins.
While you watch, consider . . .
•The uproarious Thanksgiving scene at Annie’s parents’ home. What is Allen saying about how Jews feel about their place in America?
•Allen’s depictions of his childhood. What positive images of Judaism is he portraying? What negative ones? •The exaggerated ethnic differences between Alvy Singer and Annie Hall. How accurate are they? This title is distributed by MGM (http://www.mgm.com).
Other films of interest:
Radio Days Woody Allen’s nostalgic portrait of a 1940s Jewish family.
The Frisco Kid A Polish rabbi travels the Old West in this comedy starring Gene Wilder.
Crimes and Misdemeanors Woody Allen’s startling look at the amorality of an admired, respectable man.