full title Annie Hall
director Woody Allen
leading actors/actresses Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
supporting actors/actresses Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Janet Margolin, Shelley Duvall, Christopher Walken, Colleen Dewhurst
type of work Feature film
genre Romantic comedy
language English
time and place produced Filmed primarily in New York City from 1976 to 1977
awards
date of release 1977
producer Rollins-Joffe Productions
setting (time) Late 1970s
setting (place) Primarily New York City; a few scenes in Los Angeles and in Wisconsin
protagonist Alvy Singer
major conflict Alvy struggles with himself and his past in a quest to pinpoint the cause of his breakup with Annie Hall and the reason for his failure to succeed in romantic relationships with women.
rising action Alvy flashes back to moments in his childhood and episodes in his relationships with Annie and his two ex-wives in a psychoanalytic attempt to explain his breakup with Annie.
climax Alvy and Annie’s trip to Los Angeles solidifies the growing rift between them: Annie is intrigued by the energy and newness of L.A., while Alvy can do nothing but criticize it.
falling action Annie follows her singing career to L.A., while Alvy can’t wait to return to the safety of his home city. Ultimately, they agree that their relationship is a “dead shark” and should end.
themes The absurdity and necessity of love; the transformative nature of art; location as identity
motifs Stereotypes; transformation; performance
symbols New York; Los Angeles; drugs
foreshadowing Alvy’s opening monologue foreshadows the troubles he’s about to reveal about his life; Annie’s first nightclub performance foreshadows her eventual move to L.A. to pursue her singing career; Annie’s lack of interest in sex hints at future relationship troubles