Well made, but disappointing...

Rating: 8/10 (3 September 2006)

While I did enjoy this film, I can't help feeling a bit disappointed. Perhaps if it had not been Woody Allen, and critically acclaimed as one of the best films of last year I would have taken much more from it. Without being able to provide any concrete examples, the story felt at times to be a little too familiar for comfort. I felt as though I'd seen this before, and there were very few actual surprises.
A less skilled director would have completely made a disaster of this film because of what I mentioned before. It feels like you've seen it before, and the twists feel almost as a way of counteracting faults in the original storyline. However, Allen with some clever almost Hitchcockian editing creates suspense where there is that doubt. The first half of the film, the build up, I found to be quite tedious, and difficult to get through, but when we reach a decisive moment, Allen drops in those visual hints that let the viewer know only so much, leaving something floating in the air, and this is where your heart starts to beat. The climactic scene is done to perfection, with clever editing that puts you right at the edge of your seat. The tie-in with tennis, and luck was fairly well done,although it left little to the imagination.
The cast is quite excellent, I don't think anyone hits a false note. You actually barely think of the acting as you are in the process of watching the film, it's something of an afterthought. Furthermore, the use of the opera music throughout is absolutely excellent. It creates a very specific, eerie atmosphere (maybe because I don't listen to Opera music...). Worth checking out, I think this is a film I'll enjoy more on a second viewing.