Nontraditional and great because of it

Rating: Null/10 (18 January 2014)

A Woody Allen film dealing with the meaning of wealth, the standards of living, lust and commitment. The story follows the live of a former tennis pro, Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), as he gets to know a rich well-to-do Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode) and his sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer). Chris crawls into their lives and in no time at all Chloe is falling head over heels for him, even the father (Brian Cox) likes him and it'd seem that he is set for the rest of his life. And then complications occur as he meets Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), who just so happens to be Tom's intended.
Typical setup, but the execution and how the story pans out is anything but. Usually these types of drama try to depict the protagonist as a sympathetic figure. The film usually condemns their actions and indecisions to a certain degree, but they're generally normal, nice guys. Chris on the other hand starts out like that. He seems a bit lazy and aimless at first, nothing out of ordinary, but as the movie progresses, he starts to change, to evolve, to fight for the way of living he has grown accustomed to. And it's an utterly fascinating process, the likes of which I have not seen before.
Because in all honesty, aside from the story, this film is nothing new. The characters are fairly normal, though they are played by capable actors and especially the differences between Chloe and Nola are brilliantly portrayed by Johansson and Mortimer. One a seductress, one a nice sweetheart. The filming is topnotch, though nothing extravagant, but it's the story and especially the third act that elevates this film above its peers. I was all set to hate this film by the end of the second act, but then it started. Can't spoil it for you, but remember to see this film through before you judge it.
To whom would I recommend this? If you have grown tired of love triangles, if you cannot stand them at all, see this film. It's still a love triangle, but in a way you've never seen before.