People say Woody Allen is back

Rating: 8/10 (5 March 2006)

But truth is he never went anywhere. Here he goes to London and makes almost a film noir with British actors. The first third establish Jonathan Rhys Meyers character as the poor, but lucky Irish who has gotten into the higher circles of society. Not unlike one Barry Lyndon he does so with a minimum of constraint and effort, growing only desire for the sultry American Scarlett Johanson on the way, that sadly for him is dating his wife's brother. Here the tone is full of rewritten clichés from the classic movies, all tongue in cheek and humorous. Like many other of Woody Allens movies the references are clever and aplenty, repeated viewings may be needed to enjoy all of them.
Apart from a slow moving middle part this is an excellent movie, it really picks up the pace so by the end you're left quite satisfied. Recommended.