Friday, October 5, 2007

Match Point, it could go to either side.







Match Point is a romantic drama(that becomes a thriller) and does not actually have Woody Allen appear at all in the film. But thats not to say his presence is completely lost, you still recognize the way Woody writes a story and constructs characters(plus the opening credits even use the same font...) Woody Allen has been quoted calling Match Point "his best film" and while I am not sure I agree with that statement, I do feel that it is his most tightly put together and consistent film. Everything feels perfectly constructed, The luck monologues are some of the best examples of his writing in my opinion. I also admire the acting skill of Jonathan-Rhys-Meyers who portrays tennis player Chris Wilton. After dropping out of the professional circuit Chris gets a job at a country club in London where through a series of events meets Chloe (Emily Mortimer) they fall deeply in love and begin a relationship, but things are not so simple, Chris also meets Nola (Scarlett Johanson) his brother in laws fiance who he shares great passion with. The movie focuses on several years as Chris's career rises as does his marriage to Chloe, although after a break up and trip home to america, Nola returns to London and continues her affair with Chris. Chris goes through a Crimes and Misdemeanors-like dilemna of walking the fine balance of lust and love he loses almost all rational though leading to a violent and chilling conclusion. The fact that Chris gets away with his crime is based on pure luck, a series of events that leaves him just like Judah in Crimes and Misdemeanors except for one big difference. Chris still retains the emotions of what he has done, the movie concludes with the birth of his son by Chloe, Chris should be happy but he just stares coldly and hurtfully into the nice view of London in his lofty apartment. The movie ends with Chris's brother in law speaking of his newborn son "Who cares if he is great, I just hope that he's lucky". Woody Allen also said that while Match Point was his best film, it was purely on accident. I guess in his mind, he just got lucky.

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