Annie Hall starts off with a shot of Alvy Singer, the main character, speaking directly to the camera. He explains his life in a very pessimistic way, using humor, but gets more serious when he talks about his relationship with Annie. The question of why the relationship ended is the mystery of the film. The story goes through Alvy’s life in a series of flashbacks to find the answer to the mystery.
The film is highly focused on Alvy searching for the secret to a successful relationship, the necessity and the absurdity of love also becomes a major theme. Alvy revisits his life through flashbacks, slowly putting the pieces together about why he can’t have a successful relationship.
First, he goes through his childhood. Then he starts questioning his relationship with his first two wives. The film ends by almost celebrating the failed romance between Alvy and Annie.
The opening monologue posed questions about relationships and what makes them work; the film’s ending attempts to answer them. However, it is only at the very end when a lonely and unhappy Alvy Singer realizes what love really is. “Love is totally irrational and absurd, but necessary.”
I like how you reflect on how Alvy's tone shifts as the film goes on and he talks about Annie. Great stills, but you should chat about them too. Also, each blog should end with a question. For example, I wonder why Allen avoids the trap of the traditional happy ending. How might the film have differed had the ending involved Alvy and Annie together?
ReplyDelete