American Tragedy Redux

Rating: 9/10 (30 April 2010)

I really liked this film for some very perverse reasons. I wanted the "bad guy" to get away with his crime. This is the story of a not quite successful tennis player who falls into the lap of wealth. He meets the wealthy son of a very rich man and proceeds to inveigle his way into their lives, including getting the daughter to fall in love with him. The kicker is a young actress with whom he falls in love. The former fiancée of the family son, he has a fling with her that leads to a pregnancy and a whole series of complications. The intrigue in the film, involve his efforts to cover up his double life and to figure a way out of his situation. This has Woody Allen's delicate touch as he allows his characters to work their ways through their respective challenges. It is gripping and satisfying.