It’s difficult to pin down Woody Allen, the prolific New Yorker who favors independent films over big studio fares. Even so, Allen has a unique style that is unapologetically "Woody Allen-esque." So imagine the surprise while watching Match Point, a drama-thriller that is every bit as clever and loquacious as other Allen’s films, but also decidedly different.
Chris Wilton (Rhys-Meyers) is a "retired" tennis pro who quits the game to teach at a prestigious country club, where he meets Tom Hewett (Goode), son of wealthy Alec (Cox) and Eleanor (Wilton). The Hewett family takes an immediate liking to the handsome and assertive young man, especially Chloe (Mortimer), the youngest and sweetest Hewett. Soon, Chris and Chloe become a couple, and the Hewetts are more than happy to groom Chris into the family business.
At a family gathering, Chris encounters sexy Nola (Johansson), Tom’s fiancé. They flirt blatantly when nobody is watching. One stormy afternoon, Chris and Nola find themselves unable to keep their passion under wrap, and they make love. Later, Nola insists that what happened was only a one-time fling, and she’d have nothing to do with Chris, who becomes more obsessed with her as time goes by. After Tom and Nola broke up, Nola disappears and Chris decides to tie the knot with Chloe. A year later, when Chris sees Nola again, his life will forever change from that moment on.
Rhys-Meyers (Alexander) is intense as Chris Wilton, the aggressive manipulator who carries much of the film. That’s a lot of weight to rest on the young actor’s shoulders. At times, Rhys-Meyers’s performance is forced and unconvincing, lacking the emotional depth that is required of the character. Still, his intensity, good looks and charms compensate for any shortcomings. Johansson (The Island) plays a very grown-up role – a seductress who doesn’t seem to know guilt or remorse. While it’s not her best performance to date, Johansson’s Nola is still fascinating to watch.
Mortimer (Dear Frankie) plays the sweet Chloe to great effect. We root for her, yet find her gullibility and naiveté rather pathetic at the same time. The actress puts together a wonderful but understated performance, here. Cox (The Ringer) doesn’t have much to do, but his presence adds certain warmth to the material. Wilton (Shaun of the Dead) has a grand time playing the outspoken Hewett matriarch. Goode (Imagine Me & You), as the handsome, earnest but bland Tom Hewett, provides a nice counterpoint to Rhys-Meyers’s charismatic but manipulative Chris.
Article comments
1 - Jenifer Gonzales
You should check out my review here:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/01/23/040735.php
I hated the movie, through and through.
2 - Ray
Nice review, Jenifer. I didn't hate the movie, but I didn't think it was as "great" as other critics said it was. I think it's just that it's different than what Woody Allen has offered in the past. I enjoyed certain aspects of it. But over all, I think the movie is overrated. Closer was a better film about infidelity. Fatal Attraction was a better thriller about infidelity gone bad. The Talented Mr. Ripley was a better film about pathelogical liars who go to the extremes. Like you, I also don't feel anything at the end, except some anger -- while clever, the ending was not very satisfying.