Annie Hall Reflection

"The script was written by Mr. Allen and Marshall Brickman as a comic, Bergmanesque ''stream of consciousness showing one individual's state of mind, in which conversations and events constantly trigger dreams, fantasies and recollections."

Annie Hall definitely challenges our preconceived notions of what a romantic comedy is and suggests that the "comedy" of these films lies in its disfunction, and not in its happy, gilded moments. What is ironic about this is that the romantic comedy genre as we know it now had not been established at that point in time. Woody Allen was simply telling a story that was true to his life, but also universal enough that anyone could relate to it. It stumbled its way into becoming a romantic comedy and in doing so, is one of the best romantic comedies out there.

Remove the idiosyncrasies of the characters and you have two individuals trying to understand each other, to find a mental space in which they can just "be". This is tough to do- there's no way you'll fully understand someone else and the relationship is usually done before you've found your way beneath the surface.

The way the story is told is, in my opinion, accurate to how we reflect upon our relationships. When we are in the moment, sometimes we'd like to reach out to someone else and confirm our feelings, which Alvy and Annie do by breaking the fourth wall. You never know for sure if the action you are taking will play out as intended, and usually the process of thinking and acting happens within the mind as a in the moment decision. Also, memory tends to be random- something in your environment reminds you of a memory, and it could be anything. Alvy's monologue at the beginning establishes him not only as a comedian but establishes how the film will approach the experience of a relationship- memories that are random and strongly stained with subjective thought and feeling. 

I think my favorite scene in the film is the golden-hued conversation between Alvy and Annie when he comes to see her in California. Annie's honesty is straightforward, simple, and hits home- sometimes, relationships just don't work out, and it can't be something to be figured out. Alvy doesn't get this and becomes very frustrated, and Annie's empathy has run dry. I liked seeing Annie's character grow throughout the film- at the end she's much more secure, less paranoid and frantic and comfortable with her quirks. 

If all romantic comedies were as smart and personal to its creator as this one, I might like them more! There is no happy, sun washed reunion in which the characters have to be together to be happy- it's not a straight and linear story and that is its strength.