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| Movie Review: Match Point Alternate Title: Sex, Lies and Social Climbing
Story: The hoopla over Woody
Allen's new film got me to the theater on opening day but sadly
I cannot jump on the 'he's back' bandwagon. It is never a good sign
that I started to look at my watch after only 25 minutes into the film. Yes, it is pretty to look at, the people are
handsome, the sets spectacular, the interiors are perfect down to the
last detail but the story is oh, so old. Woody Allen has taken his upper
class addiction across the pond to Britain. We see the very rich (and
how they live) and also see the 'up from his bootstraps' young man make
entry into this often closed enclave. It is an 'American Tragedy' in
London. Poor boy meets rich girl, gets hitched, fools
around, gets trapped, needs to escape before his new world comes crumbling
down. There are no surprises (except for one twist near the end) and
there are no laughs at all. I have been a Woody Allen fan since the very
beginning of his career and will continue going to see his films despite
being disappointed by this ho hum chapter. Acting: I am a BIG Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
fan. He has that sexy bedroom eyes Elvis look (he did play Elvis in
a recent TV biopic). Is it enough to care for a character only because
he is good looking? Am I that shallow? Sad to say, I admit to this fault.
Scarlett Johansson as the 'other woman' does more acting
than she has done in any of her recent films. She is usually relegated
to just looking beautiful and staring off into space. The rest of the
cast is typical British upper class and play their parts well.
Predilection: I am a long time Woody Allen fan.
Food: There is a restaurant scene where even the
upper class order different things on the menu than common folk.
Soundtrack: Woody Allen has replaced the usual scratchy
old jazz recordings he used as a soundtrack with scratchy old opera
arias. But I must say, the opera music added a lot to the drama.
Opening Titles: The usual Allen white type over a
black background.
Visual Art: Attention to detail and paintings are
superb. Because we are dealing with the upper class we are treated to
walks through the Tate Modern and the Saatchi Gallery.
Theater Audience: Packed for the first show on opening
day. Woody's fans cross the age/race spectrum.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I drifted quite a bit and started to
think about going to see the three hour King Kong.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Nit Picking: Everything old is new again.
Big Screen or Rental: Your choice.But for some of
Meyers work, try renting:
"Elvis", Alexander, Vanity Fair, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead,
Bend It Like Beckham, Prozac Nation, Titus, Ride with the Devil, The
Governess, Velvet Goldmine,Telling Lies in America and Michael Collins.
Length: Two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 5
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