365 High-Def Days of Oscar: Day 6
Year: 1977
Oscar Wins:
Best Picture
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Oscar Nominations:
Best Actor
THE PLOT THUS FAR
Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Annie Hall” is one of those films that I always put off watching. Sure, I enjoyed “Stardust Memories” and “Manhattan”, but I never considered myself to be a Woody Allen fan. Honestly, I think that it’s a crime that “Annie Hall” beat “A New Hope” for the Best Picture Oscar in 1977. But, aside from that…I generally found few Woody Allen flicks to be funny. Sure, “Sleeper” and “Bananas” had a few gags in it that worked, but nothing much else. Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) is a famous standup comic in New York City that happens to be incredibly neurotic. Alvy is incredibly self conscious, but self aware of his own problems and half of the events in the movie come from his battles to fight his own nature. The object of his affection and the subject of most his problems is the independent Ms. Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). The whole flick deals with the women that led up to Annie, and his approach to dealing with Annie after their relationship falls apart. Alvy is a neurotic Don Juan that is constantly battling his own desire for women such as Annie.
Let’s take a look at Alvy’s two prior wives. Allison Portchnik (Carol Kane) was a mid 50s/early 60s New York democrat who was more interested in the scene than her own politics. This was in part what drove Alvy to and away from her. Alvy can handle people with similar interests; it’s just that he’s going to outgrow them. And, when he outgrows them…he doesn’t have anything to do with them anymore. Then, there’s Robin (Janet Margolin) whom he meets after his failed relationship with Allison. Again, she’s political, but not too political. And, she’s an intellectual, but has no real ideas of her own.
Then, that’s when we’re officially introduced to Annie Hall. Annie and Alvy meet in a variety of competitions, whether it’s a tennis game or their constant banter about driving in NYC, anti-semitism and the differences between their families. After awhile, the two start dating and squabbling over everything from how to eat in a deli to whether it’s ok to read books about cats. Everything’s going great, until Annie tries to move into Alvy’s apartment. Alvy’s own neurotic nature starts to flip into overdrive, as he pushes Annie away.
The last chunk of the movie is all about the final resolution between Annie and Alvy, after the two have broken up. For most people that were born after 1977, the problem with this flick is how dated it has become. Most of the references, events and cultural namedrops will fly over the head of the first time viewer. But, still a few folks will understand and enjoy the film for what it is. Not me. I found it to be a rather dry comedy that spent most of its time telegraphing its jokes or just not really fleshing out the ever developed subtext of the film. The only part of the flick that I can say that I enjoyed was Duane Hall (Christopher Walken) and his brief time on camera.
The Blu-Ray comes with no special features. The DTS-HD master audio track is really strong for a film that was initially recorded in mono. That sound design is saved for this presentation, but it’s easy to get lost in the HD whirlwind. Especially, when you try to examine Gordon Willis’ cinematography in 1080p HD. At times it’s darker than a ditchdigger’s butthole, but it works for the overall aesthetic. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!
