"I'd rather be lucky than good"

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2020)

Within the vast film production of Woody Allen, the film "Match Point" is a benchmark for several reasons: It is the beginning of "the Scarlett era", who will star in a total of 3 films, "Scoop" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona". It is the 1st. movie shot entirely outside of New York and with British actors. It is also his first drama since 1988 "Another Woman"
Very intelligent and well told story about opportunities, morality, desire and life decisions, 'constant' "Allenians" that summarize his key theme: Love and Death. The title of the film and the first shot warns us about the important 'variables' of life, on the one hand Match Point = Deciding Point and on the other hand, the "luck" which will define if the ball, when hitting the edge of the net, falls in your favor or against you.
Allen begins his romantic drama with a simple story of a casual encounter that will have to be complicated as the personalities and connections between their very well delineated characters develop, relationships that influence the decision and determine their choice of life. Through an elaborate script with great phrases, as well as citations and literary and operatic references, Allen strengthens his story and then we listen: Who is my next victim? Chloe asks playing ping pong. Strindberg and Dostoyefski refer to the "morality" of the events depicted in the film, "A Furtive Tear", the Italian Aria with which the film begins and closes, is a poor peasant singing to his beloved a wealthy landowner.
With a growing pace the plot has become increasingly distressing and more pressing, so there is no choice but to play the game and end the suspense, strategies are raised and the game progresses, finally Chris throws the incriminating ring and this one hits the edge of the fence of the River Thames, an image that refers us to the beginning of the film, a fact that will define the winner of the Match Point.
"I don't care if he's great. I just hope he is lucky" Tom says at the end about his newborn nephew.
Now Woody Allen invites us to discern on the morality of history, is there crime without punishment?
Stunning and compelling performances by Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers cast includes: Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode, Brian Cox, Penelope Wilton.