Movie-going audiences of today rarely associate Woody Allen films with intense drama, hot young stars or an operatic score, but Allen's new thriller Match Point has all three.
Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation), Match Point is an intense investigation of the difference between love and lust, and the psychological pressure of an adulterous relationship.
The film follows Chris Wilton (Rhys Meyers), a Scottish tennis player past his prime who has moved to London to give tennis lessons to wealthy socialites. Chris soon begins to date one of his students, Chloe (Emily Mortimer), a beautiful, caring and innocent girl in her 20s. Chris supposes he's finally found a girl he can settle down with until he meets Nola (Johansson), a sultry American girl to whom Chris is immediately attracted. Unfortunately for him, Nola is not only engaged, but she is the fiancée of Chloe's affable brother, Tom.
Assuming that she will be married to Tom soon, Chris represses his desire for Nola and proposes to Chloe. He becomes very comfortable in his marriage, as Chloe's father is eager to provide the newlyweds with a new house and ample spending money. Then, Chris finds out that Tom and Nola have split up, and his secret desire for Nola resurfaces. The rest of the film is a study of infidelity and how it affects Chris, Nola and the unsuspecting Chloe.
Tensions continue to rise as Chris refuses to tell Chloe about his affair, and the movie builds to a shocking climax that is more edgy and adventurous than Allen's usual.
Johansson's portrayal of Nola is perfectly executed, although audiences may have trouble identifying with her because she is the catalyst for the disintegration of Chris' marriage. She captures the essence of a seductress, but also injects her role with more human qualities as Nola begins to fall in love with Chris. Chris is forced to decide between the material wealth and social standing provided to him by Chloe's father and the heated passion he experiences with Nola. His ultimate decision is sure to surprise even the most perceptive audience.
Woody Allen is best known for quirky and sometimes slapstick comedies such as Annie Hall and Manhattan, which usually take place in New York and star either Allen himself or an actor mimicking Allen's trademark neuroses. However, it seems that moving the set to London has done Allen a world of good. Match Point is fresh and exciting, shot very realistically with few camera tricks, and uses a score borrowed from opera that deftly accents the film's melodramatic moments.
The crowning achievement of the film is the dialogue. Allen abandons his usual witty one-liners for naturalistic, free-flowing conversation that almost always sounds genuine.
Refreshingly unique, Match Point is not only a departure from Allen's usual lighthearted style of filmmaking but is also a break from the big-budget epics and hot-button political dramas that are dominating the box office this winter season. Match Point is a welcome dose of poignant drama and nuanced acting with a twisted ending that will leave Allen's audiences puzzling rather than laughing.
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