Annie Hall (Allen, 1977)
Discussion Questions
North Seattle College, HUM 110: Introduction to American Film, JC Clapp
Come to class prepared to answer the below questions. Have notes ready, with specific examples, for each question. You will not be asked to turn in your notes, but you may be called on or asked to give your response. You may want to use these questions as a viewing guide, so that as you watch the film you have a sense of what you might look for.
1.The film starts silently with the credits appearing in white font on a black background. Then we see Woody Allen (as his character Alvy) talking directly to the camera.Those first six minutes of the film set up Alvy’s childhood and character. How does this opening work? What film techniques do you see at play?
2.This film continually makes the audience aware that they are watching a film. There is an animated section, shots of old movies, split screens, and characters from the present in scenes from the past. How does having the film be so self-aware affect the audience’s experience?
3.At about 20 minutes into the film we see Annie going through her romantic history, and at one point she and Alvy are physically in the room watching a younger version of Annie on a date. Where else in the film do you notice the characters referring to themselves as characters or splitting?
4.Throughout this film,Alvy breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the audience. What effect does this have? Is it effective?
5.Write out the plot and the story of this film. Notice how the narrative unfolds out of chronological order. Given that’s the case, what cues are we given in order to understand what’s going on? How is it that we don’t get lost with the story told out of order?
6.Describe Alvy’s character. What does he think and say that gives us insight into who he is? What about his clothing, behavior, interests, mannerisms, and demeanor that show us who he is? Are we meant to like him?
7.Annie, like Alvy, is an interesting and complex character. How do we learn who she is as a person? Describe her speech, thoughts, clothing, behaviors, etc. that lead us to understand her character traits.
8.Right after Alvy and Annie met, they are having a drink on her balcony and subtitles of their thoughts start appearing on the screen. What effect does this have on the viewer?
9.Did you find this film funny? If so, how? If it wasn’t funny to you, were you able to see some of the humor or comedic elements?