Review of Scoop (2006) by Seema G — 03 Feb 2010

I loved Scarlett Johansson in Match Point and Vicky Christina Barcelona, but this just wasn't a good role for her. Actually, I think that this would have been a bad role for anyone. Allen seemed to be simply indulging himself here, and the lack of effort really shows.

I'll admit that I laughed a few times at some of Woody's dialogue, but that hardly made up for this movies myriad flaws. None of the characters were the least bit likeable or relatable. Jackman lacked the charm and menace that his role required, and Johansson's character seemed annoying, thick and disingenuous, when the film appeared to want the viewer to see her as inquisitive and endearingly awkward. I know that both these actors can portray these qualities, because I've seen them do it before. This leaves me no choice but to once again place the blame on the lackluster writing and characterization.

I'm struggling to find positive things to say, because I didn't exactly hate the movie...but all that comes to mind are negatives. The ghost angle was half-baked, the ending was as anti-climactic as they come, and I never imagined that the world of London's upper-crust (or serial killers) could be made to appear so boring and pedestrian. Scoop simply wasn't a very good movie.