totally shitting out a paper on the editing in
Annie Hall, as we speak. i'm not taking it very seriously (the paper) so don't really try to judge it.
it's hard to take it seriously when i don't respect the teacher, and it's hard to respect the teacher when i don't take him seriously.
blah blah blah. you won't read what follows:
Editing Annie Hall
In 1979, Woody Allen, already an established comedian of stand-up stage and screen, released his ?magnum opus? on cinemagoers everywhere, changing the style of comedies and ?rom-coms? for many generations. Starring as an eccentric comedian haunted by neuroses for his entire life, Allen plays Alvie Singer, who ? as we are informed in the opening monologue ? has just broken up with Annie Hall, the title character played by Diane Keaton. The film functions in a fractured narrative, making it sometimes difficult for viewers to follow. However, it is from this fracturing that the film becomes something much more than just another romantic comedy, as well as becoming the film?s greatest asset.
The editing plays a crucial role in the film, not only giving it the strange narrative structure it is known for, but also allowing those viewers who pay attention to better understand Allen?s character. The film is, essentially, the yarn Alvie weaves to whomever will listen, most likely a stand-up audience or, even more probable, his psychoanalyst. In understanding this point, the structure of the film begins to make sense and no longer resembles a reasonless, random sequence of events and images.
If we accept the point that the film is his confession to an analyst or a conversation with a friend, we find the transitions between the scenes to happen more naturally, and logically, than they first appeared. The film is, perhaps, the most naturally formed conversation ever filmed, standing above even the naturalist dialogues that litter the films of Tarantino.
feeling: the woodgrain of the table and plastic keys that i type this with and the slightly itchy wool of my sweater. other than that, i'm feeling better as i get over this cold or what-have-you. couldn't take the french final today, got it pushed back a week (thank christ) and i called out of my abominable job, too, watching
Hedwig & the Angry Inch instead, while sipping hot green tea.