As you may know, this film is widely regarded as one of the top 20 movies of all time (and probably the most recent in that list. I've always thought that the people that make these lists are waaaay biased when it comes to era but that's a story for a blog). I've been an admirer of Woody Allen for some time and I thought I'd give the film that is considered to be his masterpiece another look.

Quite simply, this movie should be called "Woody Allen". While one may infer that Diane Keaton's character is the subject of the film, nothing could be further from the truth. As with other movies, this movie has an undercurrent of his insecurities that can not be denied.

At the beginning of the movie, Allen recalls his past relationships. For some odd reason, he seemed to be polar opposites in each relationship. In one he would be submissive and could not perform sexually and in another one he would be dominant and and confident in bed.

And then he meets Annie Hall. Annie is a complete nervous wreck andn this seems to put Allen at ease. They begin to date and she is encouraged to expand her horizons by singing at a club and reading books and taking classes. As time goes by, she becomes more confident and this threatens Allen's existence in the relationship. He breaks up with her but then wants to get back with her when she flourishes after their separation. They end up getting back together but by that time Allen has completely changed to being the jealous, overbearing type and he grows to resent all of the changes that she made (even though he had recommended them).

So in the end his relationship with Annie Hall was a microcosm of all of his other dating experiences. It was a fascinating case study in comfortability in a relationship and the jealousy and control that can occur when that comfort isn't there.

****** site note - didn't love it as much after watching it a few more times

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