Review of Match Point (2005) by Carlos G — 30 Dec 2013

"Match Point" should be ranked high among Woody Allen's best pictures. It is the engrossing, curious story of a man whose past we know absolutely nothing about. He is a drifter, and seems to come as if from nowhere. He doesn't have much of a personality at all, but we do learn a great deal about his character through the various decisions that he makes during the course of the movie. He doesn't show much emotion during most of the picture, and doesn't reveal much information about himself to anyone. There are not many questions asked about him, after all.

The movie is beautifully and carefully directed, the cast is superb, and the storyline is deep and thought-provoking. It is a story of morals, social class, and most importantly, it is a story about luck and how much it truly matters in this unpredictable world. Also, it is a story about obsession, desperation, and betrayal. All of these elements of drama mostly surround the fragile and tender relationship between Meyer's and Johansson's characters. The developing relationship between these two characters is what drives the story, and Woody Allen weaves it wonderfully. The story shifts carefully between two worlds of different social class, and between two entirely different relationships. One relationship is much colder but more stable, while the other is red hot like scarlet fire and full of passion and intimacy and love.

"Match Point" is a great movie. I give it 4 stars.