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Overall Rating
 Awesome: 29.35%
Worth A Look: 51.09%
Just Average: 11.96%
Pretty Crappy: 5.43%
Sucks: 2.17%
9 reviews, 38 user ratings
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| Match Point |
by Chris Wilson
"When the worst part of a movie is Scarlett Johansson, it can’t be bad!"
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Not unlike Ron Burgundy, the new movie Match Point is apparently kind of a big deal. While at the time of this writing it’s only playing in a handful of theaters around the Twin Cities area, the matinee showing I attended was packed to nearly the last seat. I was forced to take a second row seat, this after spending at least 10 minutes trying to find a parking spot. I never imagined myself being so uncomfortably close to Scarlett Johansson.In a very convoluted nutshell, Irish lad Chris (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is a former tennis pro who ends up courting a client’s sister, Chloe. Her British family is quite well off and quickly makes him at home with a posh job, personal driver and his own company expense account. Life is good. But it gets even better when he meets and begins an affair with American hottie Nola (Johansson), his girlfriend’s brother’s fiancée. She seems to be everything that’s missing from his relationship with Chloe. But, as often happens in movies, things quickly get complicated (wedding rings) and dangerous (shotguns). Did I mention this is a comedy?
Yes, you can definitely call it dark humor. The jokes aren’t that pronounced so don’t expect any applause or laugh signs to come flashing on screen. And to be honest, Match Point is just as much a psychological thriller as it is a domestic comedy. Thankfully each genre works so perfectly inside the material that when the story begins to shift, nothing seems unnatural.
Alright, I lied. I’m sorry, but this is difficult for me. One thing seemed a bit unnatural in the movie. And that was… Scarlett Johansson. At least her performance in the first half of the film. When things get more emotional and intense, she steps it up with the material. Until then, her lines just don’t come out as saucy and seductive as they’re meant to be. I tried to cut her some slack. Maybe being the only character not sporting a British accent was intimidating. Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. Boyish crush or no, I have to be honest: she’s the weakest link in the acting department. Everyone else, especially Rhys Meyers, is stellar in a script bursting with nuance filled characters.Basically, I really liked Match Point but I can’t recommend it to everyone. The humor isn’t going to be up everyone’s proverbial alley. The ending is going to downright frustrate some people. This is the best way I can put it: if you think Bud Lite beer really is the king of beers and aren’t willing or able to try anything new, different or interesting then sit this one out. The rewards are there, but only for those who are willing to give them a shot. A delicious, refreshing beer flavored shot.
link directly to this review at https://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com/review.php?movie=13671&reviewer=400
originally posted: 01/27/06 03:52:45
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USA
28-Dec-2005 (R)
DVD: 25-Apr-2006
UK
06-Jan-2006 (12A)
Australia
02-Mar-2006
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