The world of Woody Allen movies is an odd one. Some of his films are undeniable masterpieces, while others are absolute duds. They range from complete slapstick farce to old-fashioned romance, the audience never knowing which to expect from each new project. He has a way of attracting some of Hollywood’s biggest stars at any given time, and I doubt anyone would ever turn him down if offered a role. I was first introduced to Allen’s work in his early days. Films like Take the Money and Run, Bananas and Sleeper, which were all extremely broad farces. I still laugh my butt off any time I get the opportunity to re-visit these great movies. It wasn’t until much later that I began to learn of his early days as a comedy writer for the likes of Sid Caesar and Garry Moore. Interestingly enough, his ‘directorial’ debut was a hysterical film called What’s Up Tiger Lily, which I have yet to get the DVD of.

The premise of this little film was unusual in that Allen bought the rights to a Japanese spy film, and then completely re-dubbed the soundtrack with American actors. Okay, this has been done a million times, but Allen opted to re-write the script in order to make it an all-out comedy. It is one of the funniest movies I think I have ever seen.

Allen’s last project was yet again, an unusual one. Melinda and Melinda explored the world of relationships, which in itself had been a major force behind most of his more recent films, but as opposed to making it an all-out comedy or dark drama, he opted to do both. Now with Match Point he has created a film quite unlike anything I've ever seen in his canon of work.

Generally for those of us who follow Allen's work, for good or bad, are used to many of his trademarks. Match Point is a film that eschews most of them. We are used to Allen starring in his movies, and when he doesn’t there is at least a main character who at least acts like him… not so here. He has also moved the location from New York to London, which allows him further opportunity to move into a much different direction.

In Match Point we meet Chris Walton (Jonathan Rhy-Meyers), a tennis instructor at British Country Club. He is a rather charming fellow and is befriended by one of his clients, Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode). He is invited to join Hewett's family for a night out at the opera, where he attracts the attention of Tom's sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer). Eager to elevate himself to a life of wealth, he immediately sets his sights on completely winning Chloe over. But after attending another family get-together, Chris meets Nola (Scarlett Johansson), an aspiring American actress. Nola is flirty and sensuous and Chris finds himself strongly attracted to her… but she also happens to be Tom's fiancée. So what we end up with here is a film that delivers a fairly realistic and often painful look at the world of infidelity.

It is the sense of realism in Match Point that makes it one of Allen's strongest films in years. We are, as human beings, often faced with temptations. Some are as small as sneaking a piece of pie in the middle of the night. Others are more devastating, like the temptation to gamble away all of a person's savings in the hopes of that one big win. But the worst of all… is infidelity. In my mind, succumbing to the temptation of sexual desires with someone new when you are already involved (married or not) is unforgivable. In my experience, there is no greater emotional pain you can inflict on another person than that. I would never say that fighting that temptation is easy, but if you give in to it, you’re the worst kind of slime. And I've heard it all. "Oh, it was an accident and it just happened…" (B.S. - it never just 'happens') "I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing…" (Definition - I'm a sleazbag)

But I digress… Match Point attacks the subject head on, delivering characters that are at times, horribly unlikable. But they are unlikable because they represent our basest wants and desires. It doesn't matter that the majority of these people have more money than we do… it's what’s inside that counts. They are also unlikable, due in part to the fine performances by Rhys-Meyers and Johansson. It is the actions of these two that act as a catalyst for the actions of the others and all are up to the task of delivering all the pain and pathos they cause.

The DVD for Match Point is as it is. Allen has never been one much for icing on the cake, so aside from a terrific transfer of the film, there is nothing else to be found on the disk. No extra features at all.

Match Point is easily one of Allen's finest films in years, and I hope it marks a new era for a director whose recent movies have all felt just a little below his talent.

Directed by: Woody Allen
Extras: None
Studio: Dreamworks
Release Date: 4/25/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R
Website

We'll give Match Point an A.