Match Point
2005. Written and directed by Woody Allen. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode, Brian Cox, Penelope Wilton
The best Woody Allen film in years - sixteen years to be exact. Match Point returns Allen to the highs of his more serious masterpieces Manhattan and Crimes and Misdemeanors. Woody does not appear in the movie and thankfully neither does a Woody impersonator (like John Cusack in Bullets Over Broadway or Kenneth Branagh in Celebrity). Also not appearing is New York - Woody sets his film in England and we hear, for what may be the first time, Woody dialogue in British accents. All of this should let you know that we are in a place Woody hasn't ventured in quite awhile if at all.
The story revolves around a former tennis star who becomes involved with the daughter of a wealthy family and almost simultaneously develops an unhealthy obsession with her brother's fiance. Things sink deeper into complication and deception. The performances are uniformly excellent, with Scarlett Johannson leaving little doubt that she is one of the premier actors of her generation. The dialogue is superb. I was leery of the direction it started to take near the end as I was very much reminded of a previous Allen triumph, but the way it follows through took away my reservations. Match Point is an enthralling, passionate film that is easily one of 2005's best.
My grade: A
My top ten of 2005 has been updated to include Match Point at number four.
The best Woody Allen film in years - sixteen years to be exact. Match Point returns Allen to the highs of his more serious masterpieces Manhattan and Crimes and Misdemeanors. Woody does not appear in the movie and thankfully neither does a Woody impersonator (like John Cusack in Bullets Over Broadway or Kenneth Branagh in Celebrity). Also not appearing is New York - Woody sets his film in England and we hear, for what may be the first time, Woody dialogue in British accents. All of this should let you know that we are in a place Woody hasn't ventured in quite awhile if at all.
The story revolves around a former tennis star who becomes involved with the daughter of a wealthy family and almost simultaneously develops an unhealthy obsession with her brother's fiance. Things sink deeper into complication and deception. The performances are uniformly excellent, with Scarlett Johannson leaving little doubt that she is one of the premier actors of her generation. The dialogue is superb. I was leery of the direction it started to take near the end as I was very much reminded of a previous Allen triumph, but the way it follows through took away my reservations. Match Point is an enthralling, passionate film that is easily one of 2005's best.
My grade: A
My top ten of 2005 has been updated to include Match Point at number four.
posted by Keith Allison at 8:38 AM
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