However, if you're looking for a gripping expose'
on infidelity, jealousy and murder, then Woody Allen's latest return to form is a must see. Set on the streets of London, a departure for Allen who has built has career on New York-based stories, we follow Chris Wilton (Bend It Like Beckhams'
Jonathan Rhys Meyers) a one-time tennis pro who befriends man about
town Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode) and marries his sister. In doing so,
the doors are opened to the kind of money and success that Chris had
once only dreamed of having as he enters a world of nightly Opera's and
game-hunting. Unsatisfied
with the methodical nature of the upper class, his wife's blunt and
almost mechanical request of "Can you make me pregnant?" is a prime
example, and Chris finds himself torn by his attraction to Tom's impossibly
beautiful and alluring fiancée, Nola (The Islands'
Scarlett Johansson). The attraction turns to a highly passionate
obsession that forces Chris to make a critical choice. True, love
or the high life. Now everything in his life hinges on whether or not
Chris' luck falls short again - magnificently represented by the way a
tennis ball may fall either side of the net. Chris'
conflicting desires are embodied in the two women who come into his
life: Chloe and Nola—one dark-haired, the other blonde; one an
upper-class Brit, the other a struggling American actress; one loving
and supportive; the other seductive and demanding; one who can give him
everything he has ever wanted, and one who can take it all away. Match
Point opened to rave reviews at 2005's Cannes Film Festival, and with
good reason. While often slow paced, Allen successfully delves
into the almost cold-heartless nature of the upper class and the deadly
pressures of infidelity. However, this isn't new territory for
Allen and is, at times, a little disappointing in displaying the mental
deconstruction of the conflicting relationships, particularly considering the
material is so familiar to the filmmaker. Woody Allen integrates a traditional movie score throughout Match Point,
but unlike any of his earlier films, in which jazz dominates the
musical backdrop, operatic scores—almost all sung by the
legendary Enrico Caruso—provide an unnerving and heartbreaking
soundtrack for the film. This, teamed with the dull overcast
skies of London, makes for a rather downbeat and bleak film. The
only rays of colour stem solely from Johansson's blonde locks. While
Scarlett Johansson is nothing short of a pouty, sexually-charged
advantage to the film, the same can unfortunately not be said for her
leading man. Jonathon Rhys Meyers, best known for his role in the
TV miniseries ELVIS, is far too effeminate throughout the film
and at times his high pitched child-like persona can get
irritating. Meyers' character seems to slip from innocent to
downright sleazy far too often, and the realism of a man with this type
of personality being capable of such violent moral actions is low at
best. However, these type of male characters are always the case
with Allen's films, so it shouldn't come as a surprise. Sometimes,
films of this nature are quite enjoyable. The numb sense of life
Chris seems to be living is well expressed throughout the film, a tone
which is reminiscent in films such as About Schmidt, The Royal Tenenbaums and Donnie Darko. Generally,
the major problem with films of this nature is that the viewer needs to
be in a similar mind frame to truly become engrossed within these tonal
efforts. So, if you are looking for a fun night in, Match Point
may drift past you with little fanfare, but on
the other hand, if you're drifting through life yourself, these films can
be quite touching and enjoyable. EXTRAS
Sadly
no extras on offer from Allen, which is a shame as a good "Behind The
Scenes" wouldn't have gone astray - for no other reason than we could
see some more of Ms. Johansen!
Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: N/A
|
