Annie Hall: Key Facts

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 1978 Academy 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