Woody Allen on artificial happiness

I just watched Annie Hall yesterday for the first time in my life. It's a very funny and thought-provoking movie. I especially enjoy how the relationship between Alvy Singer and Annie Hall are played out (played by Woody Allen and Diane Keaton). The highlight of the movie, for me, was when Alvy brings out Marshall McLuhan to refute a professor's theories about Marshall McLuhan. It's a short scene, but very funny!

One thing that I've given some thought on, is the way Woody Allen portrays Hollywood/L.A. as a place of artificial happiness. Everything is always "good" there, the weather, the people, the traffic - nothing to complain about. There is no misery or sadness, and no grey. Hollywood/L.A. is the perfect place for Annie Hall, a woman who can only make love if she is high. In order for Annie to relax, she needs the artificial high, or artificial stimulation. Alvy, on the other hand, needs to feel sad in order to truly appreciate happiness and humour. Blocking out the grey and misery creates a "fake" place, both emotionally and physically.

I really enjoyed the movie, and may consider buying a copy for myself. There are so many interesting layers in it; he comments on how a bad relationship can be beautiful and vice-versa, the complexities of love, happiness, and raw emotion. The humour and the visuals are also smart and witty. I'll have to find a few more of his films to watch...