CNN.com - Review: Woody Allen back on his game

'Match Point' his best film in years

By Paul Clinton
For CNN.com

Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers play characters who embark on an affair in "Match Point."

'Match Point'

Starring: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Brian Cox

Directed and written by: Woody Allen

Studio: DreamWorks

(CNN) -- Manhattan's most ardent ambassador has left the building.

Woody Allen, known for creating visual love letters to New York in all his movies, has crossed the pond and set his latest, "Match Point," in London. The location move was based on financial reasons, but it has seemed to give him a new lease on life. "Match Point" is his best film in years.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("Bend It Like Beckham") plays tennis pro-turned-instructor Chris Wilton. He's a highly ambitious young man who firmly believes that chance and luck -- not to mention being in the right place at the right time -- determine your destiny.

As luck would have it, while working at an exclusive tennis club, Chris befriends his first pupil, Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode). He's a to-the-manner (and manor)-born young man who happens to have a beautiful sister, Chloe (Emily Mortimer), who is instantly smitten with the handsome tennis player.

Chris is also instantly accepted by Tom and Chloe's parents, who admire his resolve and drive. Soon Chris and Chloe are on the fast track towards marriage.

There is just one hitch. Chris is deeply attracted to Tom's American fiancee, Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson). However, Nola and Tom break up and she drops out of their lives.

Chris' luck continues after he marries Chloe and her father puts the young man to work for his company. All of Chris's dreams now seem to be within reach.

Then, through a chance meeting, he hooks up again with Nola and they start a torrid affair. At this point things begin to become extremely complicated. It seems that Chris's luck is about to run out. But without giving away any more of this delicious plot -- the screenplay was written, as usual, by Allen -- let's just say nothing goes the way you think it will.

This is a wonderfully provocative film with complex characters and breathless twists and turns. The performances are terrific. The enterprising Chris has a dark side, but Rhys Meyers maintains the audience's sympathy even when his behavior isn't the most ethical.

As for Johansson, she's as alluring and beautiful as always. But she has more: It's amazing that an actress this young has such a strong, sophisticated presence on the screen. Her character also walks a tightrope between being sympathetic and contemptible and Johansson steers Nola through these dark waters with great skill.

Finally, back to Allen. The man is as reliable as a New York train conductor's pocket watch: Going back at least to the mid-1980s, each year we've been able to depend on a new Woody Allen film. But making commercial movies has never interested Allen; he always seems to be testing himself and has attempted various film genres, not always with success. Indeed, many of his recent attempts have failed at the box office and with critics.

However, "Match Point" reverses that trend. It is truly one of Allen's best.

Would you rather be lucky than good? The answer may surprise you.

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