Product Details
- #82014 in DVD
- Released on: 2000-07-05
- Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Formats: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
- Number of discs: 1
- Running time: 93 minutes
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Annie Hall is one of the truest, most bittersweet romances on film. In it, Allen plays a thinly disguised version of himself: Alvy Singer, a successful--if neurotic--television comedian living in Manhattan. Annie (the wholesomely luminous Dianne Keaton) is a Midwestern transplant who dabbles in photography and sings in small clubs. When the two meet, the sparks are immediate--if repressed. Alone in her apartment for the first time, Alvy and Annie navigate a minefield of self-conscious "is-this-person-someone-I'd-want-to-get-involved-with?" conversation. As they speak, subtitles flash their unspoken thoughts: the likes of "I'm not smart enough for him" and "I sound like a jerk." Despite all their caution, they connect, and we're swept up in the flush of their new romance. Allen's antic sensibility shines here in a series of flashbacks to Alvy's childhood, growing up, quite literally, under a rumbling roller coaster. His boisterous Jewish family's dinner table shares a split screen with the WASP-y Hall's tight-lipped holiday table, one Alvy has joined for the first time. His position as outsider is uncontestable he looks down the table and sizes up Annie's "Grammy Hall" as "a classic Jew-hater."
The relationship arcs, as does Annie's growing desire for independence. It quickly becomes clear that the two are on separate tracks, as what was once endearing becomes annoying. Annie Hall embraces Allen's central themes--his love affair with New York (and hatred of Los Angeles), how impossible relationships are, and his fear of death. But their balance is just right, the chemistry between Allen's worry-wart Alvy and Keaton's gangly, loopy Annie is one of the screen's best pairings. It couldn't be more engaging. --Susan Benson
Rating: 
-
What was that about?
I am aware that this movie won an Oscar but truly, I have not a slightest idea why. "Annie Hall" in my opinion is the worst Woody Allen's movie out of all those I've seen so far. Worse even than "Vicky Christina Barcelona" and "Cassandra's Dream." It was impossible for me to connect with the story, I couldn't understand the relationship between Allen's character and Annie, the movie itself was directed in a very strange way. I don't know, I didn't really enjoy it, but I was able to finish watching it and for that I gave it 2 stars.
Rating: 
-
"Love is too weak a word for what I feel - I luuurve you"
What can be said of Woody Allen's 1977 masterpiece and comedic gem Annie Hall?! (especially when there's already been quite to much said, and well, who doesn't already know the tale!)
Well, Woody Allen plays Alvy Singer, a quirky, neurotic comedian dealing with the failed relationship between himself and Miss. Annie Hall(Diane Keaton)
While still maintaining to be a non-stop laugh riot, Annie Hall is poignant and forever relevant thanks to the severity of these relationships quips and their seemingly 'straight-out-of-real-life' capability.
The first five minutes alone are pure genius, Alvy's monologue will never cease to amaze me.. viewing after viewing, after viewing...
"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."
Annie Hall is a movie I for one, will never forget, never cease to admire, and will still manage to make me laugh.
Thanks Woody!
Rating: -
Woody Allen's best film--ever
Annie Hall is Woody Allen's best film. This is Allen at his best: We get flawless, meaningful performances from a great cast and the plot moves along at a very good pace. The editing was wonderful. Although Woody Allen had to cut much from the original version of this film, he cut well and we get a motion picture with practically nothing left to remove. What's more, there's so much comedy in this film it stands out as one of the best comedies I've ever seen. The cinematography is very well done and the choreography works best in crowd scenes and the scenes on the streets of Manhattan.
When the action starts, we meet twice divorced Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) who pals around with his friend Rob (Tony Roberts). Alvy comes from a dysfunctional family that literally lived under the roller coaster at Coney Island; and he hasn't stopped shaking and being neurotic since his childhood. One day Alvy, Rob and a couple of women gather to play indoor tennis--and Alvy meets Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). It isn't long, either, before Alvy and Annie strike up a pretty hot romance despite a few awkward moments in their very first conversations.
As time passes, Alvy and Annie have a lot of experiences--some good, some bad; but they stay together through it. Alvy tries to get Annie to "broaden her horizons" with books that he buys for her and his encouragement for her to take continuing education courses at New York University. Annie and Alvy also enjoy a pretty good romantic life.
But things change over time. Annie grows but Alvy essentially stays the same. Annie wants to move to Los Angeles where she thinks she can record music along with Tony Lacey (Paul Simon); but Alvy wants to stay in New York. Alvy can't stand California in general and he especially hates Los Angeles.
The plot can go anywhere from here. Annie also sings and dabbles in photography--will this affect their relationship? Will Alvy move out to California to continue his relationship with Annie? What about Tony Lacey--he seems to be attracted to Annie. Will Tony come between Alvy and Annie? Watch and find out!
I must say that Woody Allen uses some pretty incredible techniques to show how people can see others. At one point, Alvy images that he appears to be a Hasidic Jew in the eyes of the anti-Semitic "Grammy Hall" (Helen Ludlam). At another point, Allen has Alvy, Annie and Rob looking on at a party given many years prior for a family member back in Brooklyn; and it's fascinating to see the characters in the present react to the party so many years prior.
Annie Hall will always be a timeless love story with so much comedy you'll practically roll over on the floor with laughter. Obviously, this film is a "must-have" for fans of the actors in this film; and Woody Allen fans could never have a complete collection of his work unless they have this film. This film is highly recommended!
Rating: 
-
why opposites attract each other
Alvy is an adult stuck in a child's point of view, Annie's character grows; because Alvy is pushing her to become the women he wants her to be. Lots of fun, sad ending.
And this beat out first Star War's movie for Best Picture??
Rating: 
-
Pardon?
This is a special interest movie, and there can only be lovers or haters of the same. So, let me acknowledge Woody's intelligence, and appreciate the many that worship this product. I cannot bear it, I always felt like slapping the guy. But then, if I react, even in this way, what more could the artist want from me? God, I give up, and I need some chips.
Rating: -
Picture too grainy
Annie Hall
It is interesting that they can take an old flick like Casablanca and up grade it to a beautiful, sharp Blu ray version (albeit still a B/W standard screen), and then take another, so popular classic like Annie Hall, put it in a fancy package and even provide both the widescreen and full screen versions on the same disc, and yet both having such a grainy picture! I have a Sony 52" XBR6 HDTV that ALL DVD's usually look terrific on. I realize that this Annie Hall DVD was not recorded on Blu Ray, and that my home made DVD recording which looks so much smoother and sharper was recorded from an HDTV (1080i) channel. But, although I have other Woody Allen movies also bought directly from Amazon, they look just fine even though recorded on SD. I'm really disappointed about this one and will probably just keep the home-made and toss the other, since I can't return an opened DVD.
So I don't recommend this DVD. I like the movie. Will foolishly hope I can buy a better recordng eventually.
Rating: -
Unbearable
I'd recently seen my first Woody Allen flick, and decided to follow it up with this critically-acclaimed award winner. My wife and I got about three-fourths of the way through it before turning off the TV. We just couldn't listen to the miserable talking heads any longer.
The previous film we watched was directed by Allen, but he did not act in it. In Annie Hall, he plays the lead actor, and basically subjects the viewer to an endless barrage of complaining and bad sense of style and taste. Diane Keaton plays Annie, who despite the forced concept that she's articulate, intelligent and well-rounded she presents herself as often aloof and simple.
The whole movie is just talking heads. Talking, talking, and more talking. The dated style of the seventies took us by surprise - all the men in this film appear to be slobs in cheap suits with careless looking hair (as noted by my wife with my agreement).
The premise I suppose is that Woody Allen is cute in some way, and attractive too. But as my wife pointed out, he's a "nebbish" (a nerd), and it just felt so fake. I'd say about half of the injected jokes were far from funny. Its also fun to note that in the movie poster Allen appears taller than his girl, but in the film he walks quite shorter.
As a reality check, this film was watched by two thirty year-olds in the year 2009, and the story is about a forty-something guy in the year 1975 (I believe), so we weren't quite born when this film was considered Best Movie Of The Year. Not this year.
My interest in Woody Allen films has now been downgraded to films he does not appear in. I don't think I could bear to hear his voice again, at least not in a starring role.
Rating: -
One of Woody's best
Annie Hall is one of those films that I could watch over and over again. I first caught it a few years ago. I know, I know, it was made in the late 70s.
Anyway, I've seen some of Woody Allen's other movies and, though I like some of them, "Annie Hall" is my favorite.
I heard Mr. Allen say that he was not happy with this film. I think he thinks that to make a great film it has to be "serious." Annie Hall touches on a lot of elements. It is serious in a way with regard to relationships.
Allen has done a wonderful job directing this movie with a light touch.
Diane Keaton was just adorable and I think it was the very best role she has ever gotten. As an actor, Allen plays himself but he doesn't make any bones about it. He is believable.
The cinematography by Gordon Willis is superb
Rating: -
Great film, good DVD
This is one of MGM's earliest DVDs, and is typical of these (though no worse for it). The disc contains the theatrical widescreen (1.85:1) version of the film on one side and the TV fullscreen (1.33:1) on the other. The main menu is functional, but it isn't pretty: the background is a grainy film still of Allen and Keaton at the waterfront with the Brooklyn Bridge as the backdrop, and the menu selections are lime green text! You can't miss them.
The audiovisual quality is unexceptional. The dialogue seems slightly muted in some scenes.
The scene selection menu of this disc consists of titled thumbnail images, and is as extensive as any that I've seen. Forty-nine individual scenes can be selected, so it's pretty easy to jump to your favorite joke if that's what you're looking for. The French dubbed dialogue track is very good, as are the English, French and Spanish subtitles. A mediocre theatrical trailer is also included.
Rating: -
Allen's Finest! Too Bad About the DVD!
After watching a few of Woody Allen's films this is the one I found the most accomplished, interesting and funny other than "Take The Money and Run". "Sleeper" really lives up (or should I say down) to its name and after that I didn't think I'd risk another Allen flick until I watched this one. Allen plays the neurotic romantic self-sabotager role very well and watching his attempts at getting the ultimate chalk and cheese relationship to work was amusing for the most part and hilarious in a few of the scenes that actually managed to age pretty well over the last 30 years.
The only beef I have with this dvd version of the film is that the picture quality is very poor with numerous imperfections throughout such as black circles, spots etc on many frames and the very poor sound quality which comes in mono. Thankfully, in a film like this where sound effects matter little and it's the dialogue that makes this one great, one's overall enjoyment isn't diminished too much but if they are thinking of doing a Director's Cut of this film or if they are looking at putting this on Blu-ray, they should take the opportunity to clean up both the picture and the sound quality with a 5.1 surround sound option as well as with good Special Features to boot.
Overall this is Woody Allen at his best in a film that only he could make and I actually enjoyed it a great deal but you should wait until they release a better dvd version in either standard or Blu-ray formats but with better Special Features and much, much better picture and sound quality options preferably in a new Director's Cut.
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