Match Point
Match Point is "a winning combination of sex, mystery, brilliant writing and first-rate acting that all adds up to one of the most erotic and exhilarating movies in years." (Maxim).
Chris (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is being torn apart by his desire for two very different women. Marrying Chloe (Emily Mortimer) will bring him a life of wealth and success, but his true passion lies with his brother-in-law's fiancée, the stunningly sensuous but unpredictable Nola (Scarlett Johansson). Pulsing with tension, Match Point rides the dangerous line between ambition and obsession to an ending as surprising as it is chilling.
Member Reviews
a film that makes you think - tbird
the film explores a man who is so driven toward a rich lifestyle, that he behaves like a psychopath to protect what he has won. will he be tormented by his act or will he compartmentalize it and carry on.the film touches on the theme of fate. do we really choose our destiny?how much control do we have.it has to be one of my favorites by woody allen.nice! - bromara
Good movie! Some predictability, and some parts of the story that were just meh, but a good movie overall. It started off slow, but picked up and stayed up until the very end. It was fun trying to guess what would happen next. Enjoyed the symbolism too. 4 Stars!motivation and justification - filmho
I am a long time Woody Allen fan and this shows yet another side to this complex man. I love films that make us examine human nature and for that, I am quite fascinated by this film, more for what it doesn't show than what it does. I have seen it several times now, trying to get a feel for Chris's character. Is he a calculating opportunist who coldly plots his behaviour and actions as he moves up the social ladder? Does he put himself into a social situation where he will meet upper crust people that he can befriend? We see a brief glimpse of him using notes to comprehend Dostoyevsky, then later uses this info to impress his future father-in-law.
he seems almost bereft of real feeling or any real character traits. In fact the only thing that seems to inspire any visible emotion in him is Nola, whom he chases unmercifully throughout the film. She never really has the passion for him that he has, merely seems to react to his constant attention, his gaze almost a hunger as if he wants to consume her, and he essentially does. Eventually she misunderstands his greed for her to be love and that is her ultimate undoing.
As a matter of fact all of the characters are merely sketched, the real star of the show weighty matter of human behaviour when faced with what we want vs. what is right. It really is a question that we all face and wrestle with daily. What is our motivation in life? what do we want? and how far are we willing to go to get it? Only as far as we can justify, which, judging by humanity, is very far indeed. No one ever admits to themselves that they are bad or wrong, they only make excuses.
As far as humour, the best line in the film is in response to Chris talking about his father losing his legs and finding jesus;
"seems like an unfair trade" (paraphrasing)
Deeply disturbing, leaving the viewer to think, this is a brilliant film that explores the same territory as Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Which is very worthy territory to explore indeed.
Member Reviews
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a film that makes you think - tbird
the film explores a man who is so driven toward a rich lifestyle, that he behaves like a psychopath to protect what he has won. will he be tormented by his act or will he compartmentalize it and carry on.the film touches on the theme of fate. do we really ...nice! - bromara
Good movie! Some predictability, and some parts of the story that were just meh, but a good movie overall. It started off slow, but picked up and stayed up until the very end. It was fun trying to guess what would happen next. Enjoyed the symbolism too. ...motivation and justification - filmho
I am a long time Woody Allen fan and this shows yet another side to this complex man. I love films that make us examine human nature and for that, I am quite fascinated by this film, more for what it doesn't show than what it does. I have seen it several times ...