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Match Point
R4 - Australia - Warner Home Video Review written by and copyright: Noor Razzak (21st August 2006). |
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The Film
 The last movie Woody Allen made that actually showed profit at the US box office was his 1986 film "Hannah and her Sisters" since then he's had 19 commercial flops. "Match Point" ends that run, as the film was not only a critical success but one at the box office. Allen has returned...and I must admit I'm not a fan of his work. His neurotic presence irritates me, and I'm glad he chose not to cast himself in this latest effort. Instead opting for younger and more capable performers such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers and the lovely Scarlett Johansson (who has apparently taken the mantle of Woody Allen's latest muse, she will also appear in his upcoming film entitled "Scoop"). Although despite the absence of his physical presence on screen that doesn't entirely rule out the fact that this is a Woody Allen picture and his brand of comedy manifests itself in certain scenes, most notably the quick-cut wedding sequences and the quick-cut to the detective who awakes after a dream only to proclaim he has solved the crime! Followed by a dissection of his allegations as being ridiculous and that hard evidence be brought to the table, this despite the fact that his proclamation is entirely true. Yes there are classic Allen moments in this film, and thankfully they are handled by competent actors and not Allen himself. The overall result was a great film. "Match Point" tells the story of Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) an ex-tennis pro who takes a job as trainer at a high class London tennis club, where he meets Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode) a well-to-do young son of a British millionaire father (Brian Cox). He is your stereotypical aristocratic lad, he's polite and well mannered, plays tennis, enjoys the opera and shooting shotguns, he rides horses and does all the things a rich young lad does. Tom introduces Chris to his sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer) who falls for him. The only problem is that Chris has also met Tom's fiance Nola (Scarlett Johansson), a blond bombshell wannabe actress, it's lust at first sight. The affair begins behind Tom's back and continues well into Chris' marriage to Chloe. When Nola discovers that she is carrying Chris' child she demands he tell his wife so they can be together. The only problem is that since marrying Chloe he's been subjected to the family wealth, a high paying job, a lavish apartment, an expensive car and chauffeur, he's grown too comfortable and Chris must make the decision...living with a woman he doesn't really love but is in the lap of wealth, privilege and comfort or Nola, a woman he does love but having to live a poor man's life. decisions...decisions...the story takes a sudden and surprisingly dark turn. I must admit that the first half of the film had me rolling my eyes numerous times. Mainly at the rich Hewett family, every time they were onscreen all they talked about was their new material possesions, or planning elaborate holidays, or talking about the fine foods and wines they consume...blah...blah...blah. After all there is only so much of this pompous chatter one can take. I was also disgusted at Chris' attempts to make good with the family, so much so that he basically abandoned his native Irish accent to adopt a British one...this is not entirely spoken about but one can make the assumption as to the fact that this is a character that would do anything in the name of self preservation and to climb the ranks of high society. As appalled as I was, it wasn't by any stretch of the imagination to believe that people such as Chris do exists in this world and that eventually they will get what's coming to them. Chris builds a very delicate house of cards that must at some stage fall, how long can he keep his infidelities a secret? How long can he string Nola along for? well that house of cards comes very close to tumbling and it's Chris dealing with that that is the reason why I kept watching. In the end "Match Point" managed to exceed my expectations and I'm sure will do the same for others that haven't seen it yet. I highly recommend this film, if not for it's wicked plot then for the sensually provocative Scarlett Johansson (There's also Jonathan Rhys Meyers for the ladies as well).
Video
Presented in a widescreen ratio of 1.85:1, this anamorphic transfer is beautiful, there was not a single flaw that I could find. The image is sharp, detail can be seen in the bold blacks and shadows which are consistent. The colours are lush, vibrant and skin tones are natural and spot on. This print is clean and stunning to look at. Nice work Warner Brothers in presenting this film with a high quality transfer.
Audio
This film includes only one audio track, an English Dolby Digital 5.1 and despite the fact it is 5.1 there is nothing else other than the title to suggest that. 99% of the film's audio comes from the centre speaker, this may as well be a Mono track, which is actually the preferred sound track for Allen's films. Considering this is a dialogue heavy film this does the job quite well as it's presented without distortion. However it would have been nice add depth to the music and environments these characters inhabit. Optional subtitles are only included in English for the hearing impaired.
Extras
None!
Overall
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