Movie: Annie Hall

Release Date: March 27, 1977

Director: Woody Allen

Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Janet Margolin, Shelly Duvall, Christopher Walken, Colleen Dewhurst

Personal History: Watched Before

Rating: 9.75 Oscars out of 10

‘Annie Hall’ is one of my favorite movies of all time and one that I watch quite often to get inspired, to lift me up when I am feeling down or simply just to be entertained. It appeared on my 365 Day Movie Challenge back in 2020 at number 130. After watching it again today, I may have to revisit that list and see why it is not higher than that. I mean, why is it not at least in my top 100? The movie is that good.

‘Annie Hall’ is not only adored by me, but by millions of other film fans and critics. The American Film Institute has it ranked as the 31st greatest film of all time and 4th on their list of greatest comedies. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, wining four including Best Picture after its release. It almost joined the “Top Five” club if it weren’t for Richard Dreyfuss’ performance in ‘The Goodbye Girl.’ (See ‘It Happened One Night‘ and ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest‘ for more info on the “Top Five” club.)

Like a few films already on this Best Picture Movie Challenge, I already have said and written so much about ‘Annie Hall’ to say any more would be monotonous. I mean, I could gush over the smart, quirky and laugh-out-loud funny screenplay or the impeccable performance by Diane Keaton, but you could just read what I said about it in 2020 here. It’s worth the read, I promise.

‘Annie Hall’ is a classic. That statement is not debatable. For those Woody Allen haters, please read the following taken from my blog post about it in 2020:

“Listen, I get it, we are not supposed to like Woody Allen. *rolls eyes* I am not a fan of the current “cancel culture” that we are now living in. Regardless of what Woody Allen allegedly did or didn’t do, he created art that I thoroughly enjoy and have been extremely influenced by it. I can’t change that nor do I really want to. If you don’t like him, great. If you don’t like his art, great. Just please don’t tell me what to like or not like based on your moral standards.”

And that’s all I have to say about that. Oh, that and watch ‘Annie Hall’ for a master class in comedy filmmaking.