Annie Hall: Intelligence and Love Don’t Always Mix

comedy, romance

1:33

1977

Review by Brandon Talks Movies on Jun 10, 2018

‘I would never want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member.’ That’s the key joke of my adult life, in terms of my relationships with women.

Clever movies are a bit of a dying art. Nowadays, studios keep things pretty simple so nothing flies over the heads of their audience. Annie Hall, written and directed by Woody Allen (Crimes and Misdemeanors, Manhattan) and starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, is a film that’s clever to a fault. Some have said this is the greatest romantic comedy of all time, but I disagree—it’s not perfect, but that’s kind of the point Allen is trying to make. Much like the lead character Alvy, the film is smart and funny, but can be a bit condescending and has trouble connecting with people. This film was somewhat autobiographical for Allen, but he doesn’t romanticize his quirks and neuroses—he shows how they can be endearing, but also how they can be destructive. Overall, the film is intelligent, witty, and surprisingly deep in some spots, filling an odd void in the cinema world: admitting that it’s possible to be too smart for your own good.

The plot follows Alvy Singer, a sarcastic and bitter comedian in New York, as he meets Annie Hall, a free-spirited woman who understands and appreciates Alvy’s intelligence. Past that, the plot itself is pretty loose, showing the ups and downs of Alvy and Annie’s relationship as the find comfort in their connection while getting frustrated with their differences. The film is more about answering the question of what romance really means than about a neat plot, so monologues and little scenes between Annie and Alvy make up the bulk of the movie.

A relationship, I think, is like a shark. You know? It has to constantly move forward or it dies. And I think what we got on our hands is a dead shark.

Writer and director Woody Allen is known for his witty humor, but up until this film came out, he had never gotten deep and personal. As we see Alvy and Annie struggling to connect with each other, buried in that story is Allen’s own struggle to connect with the world. Alvy’s intelligence shines through even his silly moments, but underneath it all is a subtly depressing statement: being intelligent can be really isolating and lonely. This film is intelligent in its humor, but few films have dared to make that depressing statement so blatantly. But in its brutal honesty, it captures a frustration many of us brainy people have felt so often in life.

The film itself is not overtly depressing; it’s actually really funny. There’s a great comedic chemistry between the two leads, and many times I found myself laughing even though a joke was not extremely funny—the execution was just that good. Parts of this film are Alvy’s fantasy of how he wished the world worked, and the film is not afraid to break the fourth wall to get this point across. There are also some pretty deep references to some more obscure thinkers and artists that were nice to see, even if a few went over my head.

Should I Watch Annie Hall?

I won’t say Annie Hall is the funniest movie ever made, but it’s one of the smartest comedies ever made. Thankfully, this film’s intelligence and earnestness were recognized when it won the Oscar for best picture (beating out Star Wars!) in 1977. The film has some pretty frank discussion of relationships and sexuality which will go over the heads of younger audiences. But if you’ve ever felt isolated by your own intelligence or if you just wish comedies were a little smarter, this will be a movie you love.

Movies Like Annie Hall

Manhattan (1979) - After the success of Annie Hall, Allen made another film with the same writers, director, and stars, and found another hit with Manhattan. Beyond just a smart romantic comedy, Manhattan is also a love letter to the city itself. Beware, though, that Woody Allen falling in love with a teenager may hit a little too close to home knowing what we know about him now. If you’re on a Woody Allen kick, make sure to watch Hannah and Her Sisters too.
500 Days of Summer (2009) - This is a subtle but painfully real portrayal of a man who is so dedicated to love that he doesn’t care if he’s actually in love. Part romantic comedy, part “nice guy” exposé, this is an intellectual romantic comedy with hipster flair. Much like Annie Hall, the main characters in 500 Days of Summer aren’t the best at healthy relationships.
When Harry Met Sally (1989) - If you want a smart romantic comedy, the ultimate classic is When Harry Met Sally. While not as intellectual as Annie Hall, and lacking the self-reflective commentary on problematic intelligent men, the script is smarter than most rom-coms (and much more subtle than the infamous faked orgasm scene). If you want a little more romance and less cynicism, this might be what you’re looking for.

Academy Awards

Winner: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay

Nominee: Best Actor

Runtime: 1:33
Director: Woody Allen
Year: 1977
Genres: comedy, romance
Rating: PG

About Brandon

My name is Brandon, and I love movies. Not bad ones, though—just the good ones. I’m curating and reviewing a list of classic, essential-viewing, or just plain good movies from all decades, and I've been reviewing them since 2016. I also co-host Peculiar Picture Show, a podcast about movies and mental health and write about Dungeons & Dragons options, builds, and optimization.

Annie Hall: Intelligence and Love Don’t Always Mix

Should I Watch Annie Hall?

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