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Great Night In

Kevin McKidd: The Scottish actor, chooses Woody Allen's 1977 comedy Annie Hall (MGM/UA Video, £12.98 from www.yalplay.com) for a great night in

Why is this film special?
It was the first Woody Allen film I saw. Since then I've watched virtually everything he's done, but Annie Hall is probably the funniest and most touching.

When and where did you first see it?
In Edinburgh, at my mate Jason's house about six or seven years ago.

The best performance?
It has to be Allen himself. I guess it's his neurosis that appeals to me. I like the way he doesn't seem to be acting, but walking you through the story with him.

Which scene would you rewind?
I love the bit when Woody goes to visit the parents of Annie Hall (played by Diane Keaton) and he's convinced they can only see him as this Jewish bloke. Then he goes upstairs and has a very weird conversation with Annie's brother Duane, who is a somewhat disturbed young man.

Has the film influenced your own work?
It probably has. I try to emulate that naturalism he has and the way he tries to make serious points even in comedy. Allen has taught me to have a healthy distrust of stories that are obsessed with beauty or heroics.

Who do you watch it with?
Some women find Allen offensive, but my wife Jane gets the joke. I was really worried that she wouldn't.

And for refreshments?
New York fare: pretzels, popcorn and soda pop.

* Kevin McKidd stars with Helen McCrory in Anna Karenina on Tuesday at 9pm on Channel 4.

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