Match point from the very first serve!

Rating: 9/10 (4 October 2006)

This is an overall great piece of film-making. Woody Allen's most complete movie since 'Manhattan'. A movie, and how surprisingly so, set in London instead of Woody's beloved New York metropolis.
The U.K. capital is, however, a perfect setting for this film-essay on luck, social discrimination and, most importantly, fate. The plot of the film is outstanding, leaving the average viewer completely unaware of the ending. The music is carefully chosen by Allen to accompany the flow of the film, and ranges from classical to heavy opera.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, as Chris Wilton, plays a retired top-notch tennis player who starts working as a tennis coach at a high-class tennis club. It is there that he becomes friends with Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode), an aristocratic family heir. He starts attending social events with Tom's family & comes close with his sister, with whom he ends up having an affair. Chloe (Emily Mortimer) is Chris' passport to financial independence, success and social recognition, a factor that is outlined throughout the film. Chris, however, unable to resist Tom girlfriend's charms starts a casual affair with her as well. The affair with Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), an American wannabe actress, becomes regular after her break-up with Tom. Chris marries Chloe and at the same time becomes CEO in one of his father in law's firms. Chris starts getting accustomed to the high-life his wife's social class offers him but continues the affair with the young American.
Chris' wife, Chloe tries desperately getting pregnant and Chris, avoiding to raise speculations for his illegal affair, is agreeing to her every wish. The couple's efforts, however, bares no fruit and this is the point in the film where fate makes its presence more than obvious. Chris, by no intention of his own whatsoever, get Nola pregnant and the cards are dealt again....
A wonderful that definitely leave you with a smile on your face at the end. Not only a promising way to spend an evening, but also a film that gives you plenty of food for thought. Highly recommended.