Allen's latest opus recalls earlier work, yet takes a unique look at infidelity
Jon Carrelli
Issue date: 1/13/06 Section: Entertainment
Woody Allen's latest picture, Match Point, in no way resembles his earlier comedic work found in such films as Annie Hall, Sleeper or Manhattan. Instead, Match Point rather directly emulates Allen's 1989 Crimes and Misdemeanors. Stepping into the role of the unfaithful spouse that Martin Landau played is the forceful Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Chris Wilton, played by Rhys Meyers, is a well-to-do tennis instructor who has recently been welcomed to town by his friend Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode).
Wilton quickly falls for Tom's sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer). The couple becomes engaged rather abruptly, and it's not much later when Wilton is having his regrets. As Chloe pushes Chris to start a family, he becomes frustrated with the marriage and becomes interested in Tom's ex-girlfriend Nola Rice. Nola, played by Scarlett Johansson, is a struggling American actress who crossed the pond in search of work.
Allen masterfully builds to the conception of Chris and Nola's relationship. Things become hot and heavy rather quickly, and Chris must soon decide whether he will reveal his infidelity to Chloe or not. Rhys Meyers' portrayal of his character's struggle may be too intense for some viewers; his facial grimaces contort his face beyond recognition at points. Mortimer's character is so naive and fragile that you desperately wish to not see her shed a tear. Johansson, once again playing the lonely girl in a foreign land as she did in Lost in Translation, gives an admirable performance working off a not-so-terrific script.
Regardless, Allen's film is chock full of surprises as it hurtles to its frightening end. Aside from one scene that can only be deemed a poor nod to Shakespeare, Match Point is a poignant tale with strong characters. Each character is so well developed that viewers will have a hard time deciding where to invest their sympathy. While the script is not of the highest caliber, Match Point will stand as one of Allen's few triumphs of recent years.
--
Film
4/5 Triangles
Match Point
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer
Directed by Woody Allen
Dreamworks
Wilton quickly falls for Tom's sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer). The couple becomes engaged rather abruptly, and it's not much later when Wilton is having his regrets. As Chloe pushes Chris to start a family, he becomes frustrated with the marriage and becomes interested in Tom's ex-girlfriend Nola Rice. Nola, played by Scarlett Johansson, is a struggling American actress who crossed the pond in search of work.
Allen masterfully builds to the conception of Chris and Nola's relationship. Things become hot and heavy rather quickly, and Chris must soon decide whether he will reveal his infidelity to Chloe or not. Rhys Meyers' portrayal of his character's struggle may be too intense for some viewers; his facial grimaces contort his face beyond recognition at points. Mortimer's character is so naive and fragile that you desperately wish to not see her shed a tear. Johansson, once again playing the lonely girl in a foreign land as she did in Lost in Translation, gives an admirable performance working off a not-so-terrific script.
Regardless, Allen's film is chock full of surprises as it hurtles to its frightening end. Aside from one scene that can only be deemed a poor nod to Shakespeare, Match Point is a poignant tale with strong characters. Each character is so well developed that viewers will have a hard time deciding where to invest their sympathy. While the script is not of the highest caliber, Match Point will stand as one of Allen's few triumphs of recent years.
--
Film
4/5 Triangles
Match Point
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer
Directed by Woody Allen
Dreamworks
Be the first to comment on this story