Match Point

My favorite Woody Allen films are: Annie Hall, Alice, Mighty Aphrodite and Small Time Crooks. Though i wouldn't say i'm a serious fan, i appreciate his sense of humor a great deal. As far as his personal life, i can't be asked to analyze that. There has been so much buzz around "Match Point," i thought i'd check it out.

If you've not seen this film yet and/or intend to, be aware that there are some spoilers in the paragraphs below...

In my mind, the main reason that this film is being heralded so is because it offers his fans a much needed break from the usual Woody Allen experience. We're spared the whining, self-indulgent casting, and plots that are a bit too clever (e.g. Melinda and Melinda).

Frankly, the plot line is really tired. Working class guy marries into wealthy family, has an affair, but refuses to give up the life he has become accustomed to, and someone ends up dead. The conclusion is hokey yet cynical. You've seen this film before. Though, even though you recognise the story and could predict where it was going, it was still pretty riveting.

The casting was natural and fitting, especially with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. He does a wonderful job disguising his strong Irish accent--you get the feeling he's been trying to do that his whole life. Woody Allen made London seem more appealing than it actually is, from indoors that is. Chris'apartment with Chloe was amazing, but i wondered if it was actually an office building they used as their loft just for the film.

The editing was flawless. i'm a big fan of editing that doesn't give too much away, nor leads you on too much. It's a lot like the pace of a good waiter in a fine restaurant....the perfect amount of space from the time you sit, to when you order your drinks, when the plates are brought out and cleared...

I left the film thinking about things in life that have happened out of sheer luck. Things that have seemed too outrageous to be real. And though i'd love to finish this thought, i can't seem to at the moment.