Woody Allen pays tribute to Diane Keaton as Annie Hall controversy resurfaces
News of Keaton's death was confirmed over the weekend
Filmmaker Woody Allen has paid tribute to his former muse and co-star, Diane Keaton.
The legendary Hollywood actress died on Saturday (October 11) at the age of 79. News of Keaton's death was confirmed over the weekend by a spokesperson for her family.
They said she died in California but gave no further details, adding that her loved ones are requesting privacy to process the tragedy.
Keaton's impressive career spanned five decades and saw her take on roles in Twin Peaks, The First Wives Club and The Godfather. The actress also won an Oscar for her leading role in 1977's Annie Hall, alongside filmmaker Woody Allen.
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It followed Allen as comedian Alvy Singer and focused on his whirlwind romance with aspiring nightclub singer Annie Hall, played by Keaton.
In real life, the pair were romantically linked between the late 1960s and the early 1970s.
Keaton further starred in eight of Allen's 50 movies, including Manhattan, Radio Days and Play It Again, Sam. In an article for the Free Press, Allen paid tribute to his 'charming' and 'beautiful' co-star.
"As time went on, I made movies for an audience of one, Diane Keaton,” the director said. "I never read a single review of my work and cared only what Keaton had to say about it."
Describing the late actress as 'unlike anyone the planet has experienced,' he continued: "Her face and laugh illuminated any space she entered."
Reflecting on her loss, he added: "A few days ago, the world was a place that included Diane Keaton.
"Now it’s a world that does not. Hence, it’s a drearier world. Still, there are her movies. And her great laugh still echoes in my head."
What was the controversy with Annie Hall and Woody Allen?
While fans of the 1977 romcom would love to celebrate its legacy, some can't seem to do that with a clear conscience.
Annie Hall was praised for its ground-breaking fourth-wall breaks and its non-linear storytelling. But in hindsight, a few of its themes haven't exactly aged well.
Allen's character, Alvy, exhibits 'sex obsessed' behavior, including moments where his partner 'wishes not to engage', Philip Sledge at Cinema Blend reflected.
The movie also includes a scene where Alvy is upset to be bailed out of jail because he was with 16-year-old twin girls, imagining the 'mathematical possibilities' of the situation.
The girls were two years under the age of consent in Los Angeles, where the scene takes place.
You could just put this down to changing times and attitudes, but considering the later-emerging allegations against Allen, it's not quite so clear-cut.
In August 1992, Dylan Farrow, the seven-year-old adopted daughter of Allen and actress Mia Farrow, alleged that Allen had sexually assaulted her during a custody battle between the director and Farrow.
Authorities investigated the case before it was dismissed by two official bodies, and a criminal charge was never filed. Allen has consistently denied the allegations, calling them 'untrue and disgraceful'.
The previous year, he began a relationship with 21-year-old Soon-Yi Previn, Farrow's adopted daughter, who is 35 years his junior.
The actor and her previous husband, Andre Previn, had adopted Soon-Yi from South Korea in 1978. The Rosemary's Baby star and Allen were still in a relationship when she learned of their affair.
Previn and Allen married in Venice, Italy, in 1997 and went on to adopt two daughters of their own.
What Diane Keaton said about Woody Allen
Keaton publicly and consistently supported Allen, even amid the sexual assault allegations. In 2018, as the #MeToo movement picked up, Keaton took to social media to make her stance clear.
"Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him," she wrote. "It might be of interest to take a look at the 60 Minutes interview from 1992 and see what you think."
In more recent years, Keaton described Allen as 'so amazing,' telling the Guardian in 2023: "It always was really special to be with Woody. He was great. He was everything, and he remains [so] to me. He gave me everything. He really did. Woody made it loose.
"That helped me enormously.”
Topics: Hollywood, Film and TV, Celebrity, US News, California
Ellie Kemp