Directed by John Huston
Starring Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters, Aileen Quinn
A musical about an orphan. All right. Let's give it a go.
I suppose my shame is that I'm a red head and should form an allegiance with Annie.
We have our fiesty Annie played by Aileen Quinn take on her depraved Orphanage Manger, the local authorities, the ruffians of the neighbourhood and the local dog pound collecter.
But Annie is soon selected by a local politician to become an accessory for his image. And there she goes. Off on an adventure she didn't work for. Or technically didn't deserve.
This is my problem with Annie.
It's forced. I'm not sure how the original stage play manages it, but here it's a building block by block of events to assure everyone that Annie is our heroine.
I was hoping Tim Curry could save it. But he rarely finds time to do anything.
Carol Burnett and Albert Finney have a great scene getting acquainted with a song on signing adoption papers. But aside from that, the film insists you smile without giving much to smile about.
There are times I feel John Huston's direction taking his own artistic ways. And I dream that he could have kept going.
I can buy into a musical. With toe tapping tunes. Lyrics with gumption. Memorable moments.
And Annie doesn't manage to win me over.
Two out of Five
Star of the Show: Albert Finny
If you like this try:
Calamity Jane (1953) Four out of Five
Oliver! (1968) Four out of Five
