A rule of thumb is how often can you watch a movie and still find it enjoyable and new. Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters is one of many movies that I enjoy watching over and over. A recurring theme in Allen’s work is a search for significances and meaning. This movie, with all its twists, says life can still be more than pleasant even without having meaning. The movie is set in New York and portrays a type of “tony” family grouping that is disappearing.
Look at all these people, trying to stave off the inevitable decay of their bodies.
They have a quality about them that reminds me of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers’ movies without the dancing. Another difference is that we wanted to be Fred and Ginger but in many of Allen’s movies, we can easily recognize ourselves in his characters.