Don't Believe The Tripe

Rating: 4/10 (6 January 2006)

Whoever said "write what you know" first must have been a very successful writer themselves and also ignored by Woody Allen. 'Matchpoint' is a film that writhes and struggles in the quagmire of "American Cinema doing Britain" and as a British movie goer I found myself writhing and struggling in my chair to watch this film .
It is Jonathan Rhys Meyers that ruins this film for me , yes he's good looking and fills out a pair of briefs like a Clavin Klein underwear model but perhaps that is a vocation he should consider as opposed to acting . Myers leaves me unconvinced throughout, unconvinced that he wants Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson) unconvinced he is a man on the edge, unconvinced he is a deceptive liar , unconvinced he is scared of being caught. The scene when Myers visits the police station is where you really see how poor his performance is , one is never sure if he is crying, if he is feeling guilty, if he is being arrogant or if he is afraid .
Myers ruined this film for me , he was the proverbial turd in the punch bowl, he is a sad reminder to many hopeful actors that looks are more important than performance.