Addiction of Love, Lust & Money

Rating: 10/10 (19 February 2019)

This sexy suspenseful thriller is the best movie of its kind I've seen in a long time. I know this because I didn't want to get up to go to the bathroom in fear that I would miss something. This is now my favorite Woody Allen film topping my past favorite "Everyone says I love you".
The film draws you in right away with the beautiful setting of this elite London tennis club for the ultra-rich. The main character Chris Wilton (played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is an ex-tennis pro wash-out turned tennis instructor. He is an American who is not from the same socioeconomic background of his clients, but blends in quite nicely with his sophistication and charm. Tom (played by Matthew Goode) is a wealthy student of Wilton who quickly becomes a friend sharing a common love: Opera. The relationship of the two men makes a brief head fake towards homo-sexuality before Tom's sister Chloe (played by Emily Mortimer) is introduced to Chris. She has her eyes set on him from the very start. Chloe invites Chris to the mansion for a gathering and the two take a swift liking towards each other.
While at the estate Chris stumbles upon Nola. Nola is played by Scarlett Johansson who does a stand-out performance. She is a sexy seductive American struggling actress who unexpectedly is the fiancé of Tom. Chris and Nola have immediate unspoken magnetic attraction towards each other portrayed nicely through their lustful eye contact. Later, a family feud sends angry Nora out on a walk alone which doesn't go unnoticed by Chris. He runs quickly after Nora, once he reaches her he makes the risky choice to kiss her which results in a steamy sex encounter in the pouring rain. Great scene, but could have been a little longer and more explicit given the excitement it creates.
Despite his attraction towards Nola, Chris continues his relationship with Chloe by default because Nola refuses to risk her engagement to Tom. This finally results in a marriage to Chloe based primarily on money and career advancement for Chris made possible through Chloe's family business connections. Chloe wants children with Chris right away and tries relentlessly to get pregnant. However, Chris wants no part of this with thoughts of Nora clouding his mind. When Chris surprisingly learns of the break up of Tom and Nola, he obsessively pursues Nora. Initially Nora is reluctant to oblige Chris's advances, but he breaks her protective wall and she neurotically falls in love with him. Chris eventually is confused about his feelings for Nola trying to define love or lust. While Chris continues the precarious lustful affair with Nola the impermissible happens: she gets pregnant. This is where the drama turns to thriller and gets the adrenaline pumping. How far will Chris go to protect his new found family, stability, money and power? Will he experience his own self proclaimed "stroke of luck"?
This story line is easy to relate to on a personal level because of the choices we make in relationships/marriages, ultimately for the wrong reasons.... and how greener the grass always looks on the other side. I could identify with the emotions the characters went through when dealing with love, lust, and money. Which one should be the most important to us? Love is the easiest answer, but lust and money can lure the best of us down a regrettable path. We learn that having too much of one without the balance of the others can be devastating for our peace of mind and over all contentment.
The movie makes you crave a happy romantic ending but your instincts tell you otherwise. A must see in my opinion.