Match Point (2006)

Comeback

The critical buzz about Woody Allen's latest film, Match Point, is that it's his best since (fill in the blank), and, to a degree, that's true. The last of his films to attain even a limited greatness was 1999's Sweet And Lowdown, with the magnificent performances of Sean Penn and Samantha Morton, and the last flat out great Allen film was 1992's Husbands And Wives. But a case can be made that this film is his best since 1989's Crimes And Misdemeanors, the film which is its most obvious philosophic and narrative ancestor. That said, in a sense, this film is also sort of a `Best Of' Woody Allen film, which reuses many of the best scenes and motifs of his best work.
There is the obvious nod to Crimes And Misdemeanors, in that this film follows a murderer who gets away with his crime of killing his mistress when she gets too clingy and demanding. But, there are nods to Interiors, with the end shot of the film, as the protagonist gazes out a window into a vacant sky, Annie Hall with the scenes of tennis, and several others. Also, as always, there is Allen's `grand idea' that propels the film; in this case another one he has used before, that of luck being the single greatest determinant in someone's success or failure writ small or large, not ethics.... Whether or not this terrific film signals a quality fluke, for Allen's stealing shamelessly from earlier great outings may belie a creative bankruptcy (although one could argue the reassemblage or collage is creative in its own right), or a renascent final Silver Age to bookend his Golden Age (1977's Annie Hall through 1992's Husbands And Wives), only the next few films will herald, but I'd love to see Allen stay away from New York for the next four or five films, and really push himself hard narratively, in a final creative burst. The editing of the film is very crisp, and at only about two hours, the film feels far longer and richer, in the best sense. The English countryside is also beautifully filmed by Allen newcomer Remi Adefarasin.
As said, without Crimes And Misdemeanors' comedy, this film does not approach the universality of experience that film does (recall the philosopher in that film's documentary within a film, and his narration over the final wedding scenes), but it is still leagues above the usual crap Hollywood puts forth.
September 14, 2008

Lust or Love? Which is it in this passionate story with a British twist?

Jonathan Rhys-Myers and Scarlett Johansson star in this smoldering story of lust, desire, and wealth. Chris, played by Rhys-Myers,is a tennis pro scraping out a living giving lessons, when he meets the son of a wealthy British family and develops a romance with his sister, Chloe, played by Emily Mortimer. Graciously accepted by the family, he becomes engaged to Chloe and is offered a lucrative position within the family's corporation.

Enter Nola, played by Scarlett Johannson, the sensuous American wannabe-actress involved with Chloe's brother, and the fireworks begin. Defined by dramatic opera arias that form the backdrop of the story, passion erupts between Chris and Nola in spite of the fact that Chris is now married to Chloe and living the kind of life that only money can buy.

Intense, brilliant drama written by Woody Allen that kept me on the edge of my seat! September 11, 2008

Very Slow Moving

It moved so slowly I almost turned it off a couple of times. The ending is terrible. Save your money. August 7, 2008

another Woody Allen's best movie ot his carrier

Saw the movie twice to really enjoy both the acting and the story.It is a must if you love W.A. and the British culture and drama as well;
Buy it!!!!!!!!! July 3, 2008

Not quite Ripleyesque

Unlike many of the fine Amazonian reviewers, I did not watch this because it was a Woody Allen film. I've never been a fan of Mr. Allen's overall body of work (although I do think that "Annie Hall" is a great American masterpiece), so I viewed this with no expectations whatsoever (one never knows what they'll get out of Scarlett Johannson).

I was pleasantly surprised with the pacing of the movie. It didn't rush, it didn't plod; it just kept a clipped tempo the entire time. I enjoyed the sweeping views of London from the loft, and the lushness of the Queen's Tennis Club where the main character, Chris Wilton (ably played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is a tennis instructor.

The issue with this film is that it didn't have the darkness of characterization of "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Matt Damon's portrayal of Ripley as a scheming, manipulative, charming, murdering sadist is far superior to Rhys Meyers' very polite, ingratiating Wilton.

Another problem is Scarlett Johannson as Nola Rice. I enjoy many of Ms. Johansson's films, but this was NOT a favorite of mine. She spent far too much time blowing smoke out of the side of her mouth (literally) and screeching like a howler monkey to be believable (the last 1/3 of the movie attests to this).

A 3-star effort based on Emily Mortimer's character, JRM for some fine seductive moments (an easy business for someone as fantastic looking as he is), and cinematography.
June 24, 2008

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