Yes, I would too. I would say it is one of the five best screenplays of the year and I would also call it the 2nd best original screenplay of the year (behind Kiss Kiss Bang Bang).

Yeah, I wasn't that impressed by Johansson (she's been better before), but she did play that part of her character well in that she basically was an annoying girl behaving like an anxious teenager, hehe. I suppose that was part of her character, so it was well-done.

And I agree that Chris was not a flat character. He definitely wasn't. If anything, then Nola and Chloe were flat, but not Chris.

Oh, I also thought Brian Cox was sadly wasted.

2nd Best? Clearly you two haven't seen Munich yet...

The fact aside that Munich is an adapted screenplay, it is hardly possible for me to see it considering the release date is January 26th.

Yeah, whateva. Details.

Still need to see Munich.

I saw Hostel tonight instead. Meh.

Here is my review, which I've posted like a million times already, heh.

Oh, my. Well, I wasn't expecting this. Match Point is so different from anything Woody Allen has ever done that it would be almost impossible to tell he wrote/directed it if you didn't already know. With that being said, this is easily his strongest film since Crimes and Misdemeanors and is (along with Interiors) probably the best "serious" work he has ever attempted. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is terrific as Chris, who becomes increasingly desperate to cover his tracks with erratic behavior as his affair with Scarlett Johansson's Nola continues. Johansson and Emily Mortimer's Chloe represent both the two women in Chris' life and two different kinds of people. Chloe is both adoring and "safe" but apparently unwilling to question her own true happiness while Nola is alluring but "risky", coming across at various times as both confident and utterly needy. What is so wonderful about Match Point is its gradual, slow burn change from an "ordinary", straightforward drama about wanting what/who you can't have to an increasingly taut, almost frightening psychological thriller. I won't spoil any of the twists and turns presented in this film, but if you think you know how this movie is going to end, you are likely wrong. One of the five best movies of 2005. A

I was wondering something, though. Was Nola actually pregnant? I almost feel like she was making it up in order to get Chris to be with her (jealous of him "trying" to impregnate Chloe) because it was the only way he would, or so she figured, but she underestimated his selfishness.

Nah, I think she was. the entire film operated under questions of luck and happenstance. it would make sense that Chris was "unlucky" in impregnating her the one time they had unprotected sex, all the while trying daily to get Chloe pregnant (another turn of bad luck). I think they even mention that in the movie.

Libs, who did you think delivered the best performance in the movie?

Umm, I don't know, everyone was pretty good. I wouldn't nominate anyone in the cast for an Oscar, though.

Are you trying to tell me that Johansson sucked...

...or are you trying to tell dolcevita that Rhys-Meyers was excellent?

No, check yourself in with wertham for paranoia

I was just wondering.

Wouldn't it just be easier to say "I was just wondering"? And, you know, cleaner?

Sheesh. I'm kidding around, Lecter.

And I was just making a joke *insert head banging against the wall smiley*

[I thought I'd better support our poor little sub-forum by cpying my review from the "Everyone's A Critic" forum - but now that I think of it - a true supporter would have given the scoop to this underdog forum. I apologize to my fellow "Foreign and Independent Film" forum contributors for this lack of foresight...]

He's Back!

Woody Allen is in top form with this positively Shakespearean tale. This movie is really something special and demonstrates Allen's uncompromising artistic vision of life.

(Though, even I had to cringe at the cruel way in which he showcased Scarlett Johansson's limited acting ability - Yow!)

I mean within the context of the movie it certainly was effective, but as a career strategy for Johansson, it almost seems foolhardy. She is just a little too convincing as a mediocre actress.

The rest of the cast however is sparklingly perfect. Emily Mortimer and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers are especially extraordinary! The screenplay is sharp and dark and leads you on an unexpected, yet satisfyingly archetypical ride. This is one of Woody Allen's most assured works - he is working at the height of his skill and artistry here. This is a fantastic movie!

6 out of 5.

(Note: Moves onto my top ten list for 2005!)

I love this movie people.

I love this movie because it features a totally new Woody Allen who isn't about Jewish humor, and because as a standalone film it's still very intriguing.