Annie Hall

Annie Hall is a 1977 film directed by Woody Allen from a script by Allen and Marshall Brickman. At one point in its development, the film was titled Anhedonia. This title was considered unmarketable, and was changed to Annie Hall.

It was rumored that, at one stage in development, the film also bore the even-less-marketable title of "It Had to Be Jew."

Plot

The film is set in New York City and Los Angeles.

Allen plays Alvy Singer, a comedian obsessed with death, attempting to maintain a relationship with the ditzy title character (played by Diane Keaton), who loves life.

Alvy Singer grew up in Brooklyn. His father was operated a bumper cars concession. The family apartment was located below a roller coaster.

Film technique

The film makes pioneering use of various avant-garde (for the time) techniques such as split-screen imagery, double exposure, and breaks in character to speak to the camera directly, breaking the fourth wall. In one instance Allen's character, standing in line with Annie Hall and listening to someone behind him expound on Marshall McLuhan's work, leaves the line to speak to the camera directly. The man comes to speak to the camera in his defense and Alvy Singer/Woody Allen resolves the dispute by pulling McLuhan himself from behind a counter to tell the man that his interpretation is wrong.

Awards

The film won the following Academy Awards:

• Best Actress in a Leading Role – Diane Keaton
• Best Director – Woody Allen
• Best Picture – Charles H. Joffe
• Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman

It was also nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Woody Allen.

The film is consistently in the top 100 on the Internet Movie Database's list of top 250 films, and has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. It is widely regarded as one of the best comedies ever made and is considered one of Allen's best films.

Influence

Annie Hall is a benchmark for modern romantic comedies, with a large influence over future films. In fashion, Keaton dressed in layers with a tie (by Ralph Lauren), which became a popular style.

Cast and roles include

• Woody Allen – Alvy Singer
• Diane Keaton – Annie Hall
• Tony Roberts – Rob
• Carol Kane – Allison Portchnik
• Paul Simon – Tony Lacey, a music producer
• Shelley Duvall – Pam, Alvy's one-night stand
• Janet Margolin – Robin
• Colleen Dewhurst – Mrs. Hall
• Christopher Walken – Duane Hall, the suicidally fixated brother of Annie Hall
• Donald Symington – Mr. Hall
• Helen Ludlam – Grammy Hall
• Mordecai Lawner – Mr. Singer
• Joan Neuman – Mrs. Singer
• Jonathan Munk – Alvy Singer at 9
• Ruth Volner – Alvy's Aunt
• Martin Rosenblatt – Alvy's Uncle
• Hy Anzell – Joey Nichols
• Rashel Novikoff – Aunt Tessie
• Russell Horton – Man in theatre line
• Marshall McLuhan – Himself