Woody Allen is still back in the Game! He is a PIMP!

Left: Scarlett Johansson with the old ass Woody
Allen.
Definitely not a typical Woody Allen film, but still showcases his cynicism on relationships. A movie that tackles so many issues in record time and formalistic study that it is just told in an operatic scale. Given the movies references to Dostoesvsky and the opera is the true solace of what this movie represents.

One thing I can say is my love for Woody Allen and how he is typically hit and miss and is rarely on it most of the times. Other disregard and just think he is a self-indulgent hack, but I can't deny my love for him and I enjoy some of his films. To me out of all the horror films, kung fu films and exploitation films I write about how cinematically cunning and endearing those films are. And yet I say that to me Woody Allen is the true guilty pleasure, and he is. I can't relate to him. I'm not Jewish and live in New York and have manic and weird relationships that barter on the public. He is a talented writer and director at the same time. He is not a writer second and director first, he is both at the same time. I love "Deconstructing Harry,"Small Time Crooks", "Stardust Memories" and definitely "Crimes and Misdemeanors". His movies are still in the void of Wood Allen universe that people tend to disconnect to, but this one definitely shows he can push cinema outside his universe.

The setting being London and not New York, he still is not out of his element. His trademarks that Allen is known for may not be present for some, but is still there. His typical Jewish humor isn't there, but his humor is. As the movie takes over dramatic turn is doesn't really take itself too serious and has a dark, cynical humor towards it. "Match Point" is not a dark comedy!

Now for the story, starring the actually pretty good Jonathan Rhys-Meyers who plays Chris Wilton who is a kid that is unsure of himself. His plans of being a pro-tennis player that didn't come into plan is not truly explained why he didn't full fill that dream. It probably is explained but I 've probably missed it and for me felt like a blimp in the air. Cause he is just a guy that doesn't know what he wants and wonders into a relationship with the sister of a rich friend of his played by Matthew Goode. Her name Chloe, played by the underrated Emily Mortimer(Dear Frankie), who takes a liking to Chris and decides to build relationship. Chris then meets the family and is well received by the rich parents and is groomed by Chloe and her dad to work under him at his firm and supply him with a house and a job.

You wonder, why the hell am I following this rich, not working, asking a hand from father in-law punk. It so happens that you actually, and this mean guilty pleasurely, start rooting for him and not care for him but is happy for him. Chris seems fulfilled with all the options that are giving to him through this relationship but of course he is looking for more. After a rendevous at the mansion of the father played by Brian Cox, who seems to be in a lot movies these days randomly after "L.I.E."(check out that movie if you haven't seen it). As Chris is in the mansion and walks into the recreation room with a female playing ping-pong for money. Chris takes a love-at-first-sight note and makes his careful move and realizes that its the fiance to the soon to be brother-in-law. That still doesn't stop him and is sought after for Nola, played by the oh so fine Scarlet Johansson. She is the temptress, well not exactly the temptress but the lust to Chris' loins. The whole stage is set, and might their add for their first sex scene as cliche and cheesy it was for some reason it was still perfectly set-up by Woody Allen. It's like he was making fun of that cliche and no one didn't get it.

The whole build-up is set and enlist certain turns that Allen seems conscious on taking and does it masterfully. Like the movie goes from certain cinematic genre from another accomplishing and covering a lot of issues without being preachy first quarter of the movie feels like a romance between Chloe and Chris, then it goes into Harold Pinter-esque("he Homecoming") dialogue that fuels the English accents that Allen seems to not be familiar with. It takes that tone then goes into some late-night cinemax fare like a soft-core porn "Dangerous Liaisons". It does that for while with a sex scene between Rhys-Meyer ripping Johansson's shirt off like a G!!!!!! It's so awesome, I was the only fool rooting in the theatre. Then the film goes into some twisted dialogue people hurting people emotionally with words that seems to be eminent in Neil Labute's("In the Company of Men") work. Except, its not a rip-off and has a lot more subtle humor than Labute's in-your-face humor that hits you like a brick. Allen's subtleness hit you, long after the incidents are portrayed and will continue to, long after the movie is over. I'm still recovering and think about this film at this moment(since I'm writing this) and probably tomorrow. Then it transitions into a murder mystery that build ups with long shots and subtle tension that invokes Claude Chabrol("La Ceremonie"), even with the same wry humor Chabrol has! This movie did it all!

Allen's use of cinematography doesn't help much with the location(Not saying London isn't beautiful), but still adds beauty on its portrayal. He consists of long takes of two characters sharing dialogue, hell even three people. It's like a three cushion dialogue seminar that isn't plot motivated but isn't a waste and gives new meaning to actually share Chris' pain. I also like how Allen pans the camera slowly, not for when a another person is talking but showcase another persons' emotions. He usually keeps the camera on a person while another person is talking to them, and sometimes he zooms out to show the two talking. He seems that he is not interested in cuts, but gives as seminal cinema verite style that isn't all that judgmental. But with the panning of the close up when some plot point is about to made it somewhat quos Chabrol.

Throughout all the ins and outs that Chris chooses you start to feel happy for his fate in the end. Then you know his guilt that he has to live with. Allen did real great job and is his best movie to date in a long ass time. I enjoy some of his recent work, but none of them will hit me as hard as this one did! I remember Win, a friend/co-worker said,"I rather watch a mediocre Woody Allen than a mainstream Hollywood anytime of the day". Well this my friend is not mediocre and could be summed up in the words of my English homies,"A Bloody Good Show, Ol' Chap!" Alright that was lame, but who cares its a celebration bitches for WOODY ALLEN!
This Aliye Nyoka saying "See You Later, Masturbater!"