ANNIE HALL

The first of Woody Allen's intelligent character comedies, Annie Hall is a tale that has become typical of the director's recent style. In it, he plays a character so close to his own that there is virtually no difference, and the paranoias and complexes we see acted out are undoubtedly Allen's own.

Dealing with the life of a relationship between Allen's character and Annie Hall (Diane Keaton), the film takes us from the couple's first few dates to its inevitable end. During this and in between, Allen's observations on the human condition (and the condition of a middle-aged Jew living in 1970s New York) are trotted out, with very amusing consequences. Most of the humour - although literary and intellectual - works, and there are instances where it works very well indeed (Allen's complaints at a loudmouth movie critic in a queue to watch a black and white documentary about the Nazis in France; or his recollections of his childhood, spent in the family home underneath a rollercoaster). In addition to these vignettes, the characterisation of the couple is observed wryly and with warmth, even when the relationship has fallen apart. It is testament to Allen's skill as a writer, actor and director that we care enough about two people to sit through a movie detailing their strained and obviously doomed relationship. Mind you, the jokes help...

The direction is clever, Allen often using techniques such as interrupting the action and talking to camera, or juxtaposing two scenes together to show the similarites/differences, etc. Used too much, this could get irritating, but Allen strikes a happy medium and creates a very watchable intelligent and filmic comedy, filled with wit, warmth, typical Allen paranoia and performances that elicit a repeat viewing. The shape of future Allen films to come, Annie Hall is also one of his best.

Character comdey from the master. 9/10