EGGS

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Annie Hall is one of my favorite romance stories. Now I can try to defend this statement with all sorts of critique. I could tell you that it made a huge impact on my life. Or that I identified with Woody Allen's character. Or that I dated an "Annie" in the past. Or that it has some of the best story editing of anything to come out of Hollywood in the last 30 years. Or that I really liked Diane Keaton's ties. All of that would be trueand complete and utter crap. I love this film for the same reason every other one of its fans does. Woody's monologue at the finale. It goes something like this:

It was great seeing Annie again and I realized what a terrific person she was and how much fun it was just knowing her and I thought of that old joke, you know, this guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, 'Doc, uh, my brother's crazy, he thinks he's a chicken,' and the doctor says, 'well why don't you turn him in?' And the guy says, 'I would...but I need the eggs.' Well, I guess that's pretty much now how I feel about relationships. You know, they're totally irrational and crazy and absurd, but I guess we keep going through it...because...most of us need the eggs.

Now if you want an insightful exploration of the value of stealing every precious moment and chance encounters, watch Before Sunrise. If you'd like a verification of true love's eternal power, rent Doctor Zhivago. But if you're looking for a flick that details the insanity, senselessness, and little pleasures in couplehood, it's a gem.

Speaking from the viewpoint of a guy in a 1 year relationship (like wow, Scoob!), I can't explain it. Will I ever get married...I dunno (my friends have created a Vegas odds calculator for it) but I do know that I am addicted to all the craziness that having a girlfriend entails. Note to all blog-reading, shotgun-toting exes: The noun craziness refers to good times, not mental states.

Spend $2 and this movie won't disappoint. It's Woody's best. And it's got Diane Keaton wearing really cool ties.

"Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering - and it's all over much too soon." --- Woody Allen