2. Annie Hall
What can be said about Annie Hall that hasnt already? One of the greatest American comedies ever that defined the template for romantic comedies to follow. The strange story about Annie Hall is that the final cut was completely different to its original structure that would focus on the stream of consciousness Allens character Alvy creates. Purely an experiment that no one noticed was one, some of the remnants of its origin appear in the final cut, providing great humour, in particular the cameo by Marshall McLuhan. The genius behind Annie Hall is that nearly every joke hits its target and even today, 36 years on, its still as relevant and brilliantly funny as it was back in 1977. The focus of the movie is on Allens character Alvy falling for the wonderful Diane Keaton, playing the eponymous role. The chemistry is clear with their rapport natural and efficient, Allen the ever awkward neurotic while Keaton calmly oozes subtlety in her performance. Its a movie that needs to be seen multiple times to be fully appreciated and highlights the almost effortless nature that Allens writing had taken at this point in his career. One of his very finest.