Annie Hall a review by Robert Hatch

The review is quick to point out how Alvy Singer is essentially Woody Allen playing himself, this is something that greatly attributes to the auteur presence in his movies. Robert Hatch praises Annie Hall for its wit and clever way of dealing with relationships along with its breaking of the fourth wall with Woody Allen addressing the audience directly. Although the breaking of the fourth wall is praised here Robert Hatch also is quick to point out that Allen sometimes goes too far or explains a joke too deeply. Specifically the scene at the movie theater with the loud talker in the line where Alvy Singer literally pulls the subject of the discussion into the scene to provide his own words, and the scene where subtitles explain what Alvy and Annie are really thinking during their discussion on the balcony. Robert Hatch thinks that these jokes would of been funnier if they had kept a more subtle nature. I personally disagree and those two scenes in paticular were my favorites in the film. Robert also makes the point that while the ending joke of the movie is funny, it really doesn't make any sense. I would agree with this but neither me nor Robert Hatch seem to be sure if that was the point all along.

Hatch, Robert. "Annie Hall(review)" Perspectives on Woody Allen. Ed. Renee R. Curry. New York, New York. G.K. Hall & Co. Prentice Hall International. 1996