The top of my list of films

Annie Hall has long been at the top of my list of films. It combines a sense of classic New York, a bonkers Woody Allen and really good clothes. For whatever reason I’ve re-visited Annie Hall several times in the past few weeks, and continually noticed the quality of the wardrobes. It then comes as no surprise that the one and only, Mr. Ralph Lauren (no secret to film fashion fame, see Redford in The Great Gatsby) was behind all the stitches. Firing on all cylinders, Annie Hall is filled with tweed, military jackets, summer whites, Paul Simon, and female neck wear; all paired with narcissism, vintage cars and a complete disdain for Los Angeles.

People are quick to forget Annie Hall, the major turning point in Woody Allen’s long, storied, and ever-growing career. They’re quick to forget that it won four of the big five Oscars (winning best director, actress, writing, and picture), the one loss coming in the best actor category. They’re quick to forget it beat Star Wars for Best Picture. No, not the crappy prequelStar Wars, the freakin’ Star Wars. They’re quick to forget that Allen revolutionized humor, romance, and storytelling in one quirky swoop. But if you actually take the time to sit down and watch this amazing film, you would never be quick to forget it.

It’s honest, it’s depressing, and it’s hilarious. I chose this film as my favorite not just because it’s an outstanding film, but it is largely a representation of Allen’s whole career and what he would do after this. Annie Hall is more than just Annie Hall, it represents films such as the gorgeously shot Manhattan, the character-driven Purple Rose of Cairo, the dark, philosophicalCrimes and Misdemeanors, and the family-drama, Hannah and Her Sisters. You could argue that Woody Allen has done better since Annie Hall, depending on what film you chose to make your case, I might not argue. But there’s no denying that without Annie Hall, we would not have gotten the filmmaker and films we have today and that is why the tie-wearing, naive, arachnophobic, Grammy Hall-loving, Annie Hall tops my list.