Match Point

There are some movies that are great but you never want to see them again. Woody Allen's Match Point (2005) is one of those movies. To start with, I have to admit to not being the biggest Woody Allen fan. I have been bored by many of his movies, even classic ones like Annie Hall (1977). Giving credit where its due, Allen is an idiosyncratic director with insight and feel for personal relationships. The problem with having a distinct style is fans consider it genius while nonfans find it self indulgent. I'm in the latter with Woody Allen, his chattering neurotic diologues and intellectual self torture gets annoying after a few minutes. This isn't to say I've never liked any of his movies, Stardust Memories (1980) and Hannah and Her Sisters (1987) were enjoyable. He just isn't my cup of tea.

But, none of that has to do with how I feel about Match Point. Point chronicles the social climbing and love affairs of a second level Tennis pro who decides to leave the sport. Chris Wilton, played with calculated deviousness by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, falls in with a wealthy family while teaching Tennis at a club. The family takes Wilton in and in a flash he is married to the daughter representing the sterotypical "perfect" woman (atttractive, intellectual, emotionally balanced, sensitive and supportive) and the "perfect" job (high level corporate position with a car and driver no less). Despite this, Wilton can't keep his eyes or hands off his brother-in-law's finacee', Nola (played with jaded glamour and smoky intrigue by Scarlett Johanssen). Wilton connects with Nola's lower class beginnings and strength of will leading to a steamy affair.

Naturally, the two worlds of the "real" Chris Wilton and the "perfect" Chris Wilton collide with both disasterous and wonderous results. Set in London, Allen seems rejuvinated as a filmmaker. Here, he sheds or tones down most of his expected mannerisms (New York culture and scenery, rambling speeches about the human condition, martyr complex) and cuts to the bone. Restraint is shown, the tone of the film plays out as an Operatic tragedy (plenty of allusions to this in the movie) but does not fully condemn the character. Best of all, Woody Allen himself is not in the movie.

Woody Allen is someone who was worshipped in cinema until his personal life made him a social pariah or at least a running punch line. In some ways, the Chris Wilton character reflects this. But Match Point trancends Allen himself, he has made a film that shows the attraction of ambition, fire of desire and coldness of manipulation with an unswerving eye. Nothing graphic happens on screen yet I found myself looking away from it like a horror movie. Allen has made a tragedy with honest emotional impact. Game, Set and Match.