Analysis of Hannah and Her Sisters

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Analysis of Hannah and Her Sisters

‘Hannah and her Sisters’ is an American film set in the 1980’s

directed by Woody Allen. Woody Allen was influenced by a Russian

dramatist called Chekhov who wrote a play called ‘Three sisters’.

Woody Allen based the film on the play, in which the sisters are close

but there is still tension between them at the same time.

‘Hannah and her Sisters’ is a funny, swift, difficult yet beautiful

film. All the characters lives seem to be uncontrollable. One sister

is anxiously striving to find a meaningful direction in her life;

another is intertwined with her sister’s husband; and Hannah herself

is left lingering in the middle. Each man and woman in the film is

exposed and defenceless while at the same time being envious and

secretly bitter of others. Despite their errors and imperfections we

are encouraged to sympathise with all of the central characters;

without forgetting that mendacious behaviour leads to treacherous

outcomes.

I think Woody Allen created this film to express people’s feelings, as

the film does not really contain a theme or a storyline; it is mainly

about exploration of the characters lives. During the film we explore

feelings of jealousy, confusion, rivalry, sadness and loneliness.

Throughout the film we can see inner conflicts, hidden feelings, and

vulnerable characters by the use of the voice-overs.

In the opening of the film we watch a joyous thanksgiving party;

although we hear the distressed voice of one of the characters;

privately conveying his desires, emotions, and deepest fears. This is

Elliot’s voice we hear; Elliot expresses his inner apprehensions, he

is app...

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...s in reality. Each character and sister had a different

personality and all of the characters had settled down and matured by

one of the final scenes in the film; this again was a thanksgiving

party. But in the beginning of the film the characters were unsettled

and unaware of what they were supposed to be doing in life. Except in

the thanksgiving scene which was almost the last, the characters had

come together in some relationships and drifted apart in others. But

taken as a whole this film manages to bring out one of the most

important feelings in life, love, whilst exploring feelings of

jealousy, confusion, rivalry, hope, sadness and loneliness on the way.

Although there was limited hope for the characters to come together in

the end, they did, it was in the vulnerability and tenderness of it

all that love emerged.

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