Analysis

Analysis

Symbols and Tropes

Hero's Journey

Ever notice that every blockbuster movie has the same fundamental pieces? A hero, a journey, some conflicts to muck it all up, a reward, and the hero returning home and everybody applauding his or...

Setting

New York (1975)Annie Hall is director and star Woody Allen's love letter to his hometown, New York City. Allen and New York are as inextricably linked as peanut butter and jelly, as chips and salsa...

Point of View

Non-LinearFrom the get-go, it's clear that Annie Hall isn't your average narrative. The story starts with Alvy all by his lonesome, explaining that he's a guy with a goal: to figure out why he and...

Genre

Comedy; Romance; DramaComedyWhat happens when you stuff a handful of comedy subgenres into a blender and hit "pulsate"? You get Annie Hall. In the simplest terms, it's a comedy because it's suppose...

What's Up With the Title?

Given that Annie Hall is all about Alvy trying to figure out why Annie's the one who got away, it's fitting that the film is named after her. We're not going to say he's obsessed with her, but with...

What's Up With the Ending?

Annie walks away. Alvy walks away. The end. Phew. What a satisfying ending, right? No? You want more? Sorry, Shmoopers.Annie Hall's ending may not tie up the loose ends of Alvy and Annie's relation...

Shock Rating

PGAnnie Hall earns its "Parental Guidance suggested" rating primarily for its discussion of sex and a handful of drug references. Profanities are few and far between, and there's no violence—unle...