Review: Match Point

The innocent are sometimes slain to make way for grander schemes. You were collateral damage.

I have been impressed with the quality of films coming out of Britain recently. Keeping Mum and Mrs. Henderson Presents both showcased fantastic British talent and superior production quality that is in stark contrast to the "gritty realism" of independent pictures that dominated British cinema during the 90s. Of course these films are often joint ventures with America to make them economically feasible, often including an American actor/director to draw in the crowds on the other side of the pond. Match point is no exception. It is a beautifly English film, the first half consisting of such British-upperclass humor that it is remenisent of an Oscar Wild play; but Match Point is directed by Woody Alan and is his very first film shot outside of New York.
Match Point is certainly very different to any Woody Alan film I have seen, prehaps because Rhys-Meyers' lead performance ooses confidence and alpha male traits that seem out of phase with Alan's typecast comedic, self critical roles.
The film follows the story of Chris Wilton (Rhys-Meyers) who by luck and Machiavellian ruthlessness, incorporates himself into the British-upper class by marrying into an extremly wealthy family, despite his dishonarable intentions towards his poor American soon-to-be sister inlaw (Johansson). Wilton's skill at seduction is extremely refined and endeering, and at this point in the film he is extremly likable.
During the second half Alan becomes a master of suspence, something I was not expecting. It is extremly fast paced and unpredictable. I think that to fully apreciate this you should know as little as possible about what is going to happen, so I won't ruin it for you :)

The camera work is fantastic throughout often taking the opertunity to linger on the Victorian opulance that London is famous for and the locations are primarily the most exclusive/expensive parts of the city (Bond Street, Sloan Square etc.) The use of a recuring music that tied into the story was also highly effective.

Overall I thought this film was fantastic and well deserving of the praise it recieved at Cannes.