I enjoyed it

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2006)

Sure, MATCH POINT is sorta predictable and never really catches fire, like some early Woody Allen films, such as MANHATTAN or ANNIE HALL, but I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. What I liked (and I believe is the main point those who didn't like it clearly overlooked), is that the story is like Greek tragedy seen through the sardonic eyes of Woody Allen, which is what makes it so special.
It seems like the majority of the characters simply go through the motions here, chatting, being snobby, etc. But the bulk of the characters of the story serve as background to the grand tableau that Allen created here. Much of it is sorta trite but then again most of these folks are trite in real life. The main characters are mostly unlikeable but again, that's the whole point of the Greek tragedy aspect of the story. The story IS the main character and we, the audience, simply watch it unfold in front of our eyes.
What makes the movie so great is the ending. The conclusion is brilliant and gives weight and importance to what seemed before as somewhat superficial and melodramatic.
I enjoyed the ensemble cast (even though I believe Clive Owen would have been great in the character Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays), the movie looked great and I was pleasantly entertained. What more can a moviegoer ask for?