The scene in question is a delightful little moment that could have easily been included in the film for no other reason than to provide a brief interval or interlude between the more complicated or exhausting relationship dramas that occur throughout. Instead, it is a scene that communicates a great deal about the relationship between these two friends (the characters played by Wiest and Fisher) as they attempt to feign interest in this travelogue of buildings and places simply as a way of getting to know this dashing and successful young architect. Their reactions to these great buildings demonstrate a desperate attempt to agree or disagree with whatever Waterston's character is speaking of, while also offering a much more amusing insight into the dynamics of this relationship, as both women attempt to outdo one another for the offer of a ride home.
As with any great moment from the films of Woody Allen, this particular scene seems to me to offer a remarkable example of what cinema can achieve, precisely because it is something that could only be communicated through the cinematic form. This scene is further proof of Allen's obvious talent for expressing moments of immense depth and human emotion through incredibly simple though no less ingenious methods, and stands out, in my mind at least, as one single moment of invention from a film seemingly full of them.
Hannah and Her Sisters directed by Woody Allen, 1986:
