Match Point (2005)
Moderate themes, moderate violence, moderate sex scenes
A clandestine love affair sends one man's charmed life into a tailspin in this comedy drama written and directed by Woody Allen, his first film set and filmed in Great Britain. Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is a tennis player who was just good enough to make his way onto the professional circuit, but not good enough to be a consistent winner. Looking for a more stable career, Chris is hired on as a resident professional at an exclusive tennis club by Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode), who is as impressed by his charm and good looks as he is by his game. Chris's intelligence and wit also make a strong impression on Tom's pretty sister, Chloe (Emily Mortimer), who soon falls for him. It isn't long before Chris and Chloe are engaged to be married, a match that pleases both Tom and his father, Alec (Brian Cox), a successful businessman who believes Chris has a bright future in his firm. However, Chris has also caught the eye of Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), a sexy blonde from the United States who is dating Tom. Nola makes no secret of her attraction to Chris, and he can't help but be drawn to her; the two quickly begin an affair, even as Chris and Chloe plan their wedding. Chris thinks good fortune has come his way when Nola drops out of his life shortly before his wedding, but a chance meeting a few months later brings Nola back into his life as he and Chloe try to start a family.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 118mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (83)
83 Member
Reviews
Janette
says
No comedy in this one and none of the characters are likeable. The best part was the little twist near the end.
Janice
says
This movie was okay but not much story line.
dikdanx
says
The story was weak and somewhat far-fetched. This wasn't helped by a second rate actor in the lead role and mediocre support artists. The film barely deserved one star but the two stars are in recognition of the music which made the film just watchable.
Jenny
says
Fabulous a lot of twists and turns and vey entertaining
P Boulton
says
Interesting film with an unexpected ending
One of Woody's good ones
Bavin
says
The central theme of this movie is chance. A lot of our lives are governed by circumstances outside our control, ie chance. The central character is Chris a pro tennis player whose life-changing moments are governed by chance, however, the character is a bit one-dimensional and could be fleshed out a bit more. Perhaps some intrigue regarding his background or motives? The plot takes a long time to set up and the movie could be edited down a bit, but it starts to get tense near the end. At first it looks like a moralty play about manners but becomes much more serious than that. It gets a bit incredulous at places, but is worth watching.
Mary
says
This is definitely not a comedy/drama - definitely serious drama.
The beginning accentuates how life sometimes comes down to luck and the ending definitely underlines that.
Not a Woody Allen fan at any time but this was actually a straighforward movie with a twist.
Hali T
says
Excellent movie. a riveting blend of ambition and intrigue. a must see for any self respecting movie lover.
alistair
says
Not a nice story, but maybe that was the point. Male lead was weak, though I think it was the part he was given rather than the acting. If the movie went longer he would've ended up as a politician he was so amoral. Hopefully in Oz the police do their investigations a bit more thoroughly. The ending stretches credibility. You do feel for the sexy girl that everyone wants to play with but no one wants to marry.
Glenda D.
says
Great acting and very good movie, keeps you guessing. Recommend this one.
Rachel L.
says
I absolutely loathed this movie from start to finish.
I've never been a fan of Woody Allen (I think he's the most overrated director in Hollywood) but this movie truly takes the cake for one of the worst movies I've ever seen (and I've seen "House of 1000 Corpses" so that says a lot).
Poor acting, terrible direction and just plain BORING. I will never get those 2 hours back and I'm still annoyed about it 4 years later!
Lee
says
S much not like what I expected but a great twist and kept me interested.
NICK
says
A little slow in the beggining (Seems that most english movies are like that) but it gets better. Really good plot and a good twist towards the end....
Michael W.
says
Best thriller since The Talented Mister Ripley!
Suzanna
says
Second time through - clearly shows the miserable effects of greed but doesn't stumble into a nice pat ending with the "hero" getting his in some sudden megaplex-satisfying ending. Very well acted with all the usual herd beasts trumkpeting the wonderment of cranking out children and being rich. As though that's all there is.
Joanne
says
I somewhat interesting story with generally good performances. Unfortunately the main guy was such a weak actor - it ruined the whole viewing experience.
Gerd H.
says
Is it only Englishmen that are scoundrels, or are they just a better class of scoundrel? This movie sucks the viewer in by being so ordinary in an English sort of way to start with, but ends as anything but ordinary and rather daft. A Woody Allen comedy it's not.
Charlie
says
Having not knowingly watched any Woody Allen movies previously (I probably have but they're long forgotten), I sat down to this without any real expectations. All in all I enjoyed it - although it did go for too long. The "lucky" twist at the end I would never have predicted.
Sunet N.
says
Quite surprising to see Woody Allen not to act in his own movie and even more while finding out that the plot is very straight forward. The story is like the classic A PLACE IN THE SUN however with a very well thought twist. Great acting, great directing. It's a 4 stars and even if you don't usually like Woody Allen, you might enjoy this one.
Richard L.
says
Excellent film Woody Allans best work. Great acting and screen play. Highly recommended.
Gayle R.
says
a nice video for a rainy day - not much content but pleasant
Carolyn A.
says
The twist in this plot "haunted" me for days after watching it. A real OMG moment. The movie is a bit slow at the start but stick with it until the end. Enjoyed it more that I anticipated.
Gayle R.
says
don't know how iit was commedy - very slow at the start - I really enjoyed the ending
Melissa D.
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Faraday M.
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Barbara C.
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The tennis gets lost amongst the love won and lost then turns into a must watch drama at the end third of the movie - it will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat till the amazing finish which answers the name of the movie.
Sue K.
says
oh I just love a movie with a good plot and this has it along with passion and
Rhys Myers ...well you cant go wrong
Sangita P.
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Gina T.
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Howard R.
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There is not single laugh in this comedy! But it is not a bad film, with an interesting twist at the end.
Shandos C.
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Jean B.
says
Excellent! Great in every way - excellent casting and exciting, intriguing story. Twists, turns, expect the unexpected!
Yuliya K.
says
great film, one of my top films.
poppy
says
This movie was pathetic. It had no real storyline and some of the acting has a lot to be desired. Then again, it was set in England. The storyline seemed to move along quite quickly for a movie that seemed to go on forever. I watched the whole movie in hope of it turning into something better but to no avail.
Andrew H.
says
I didn't think Scarlett Johansson's performance was all that remarkable - in fact most of the performances were quite average. Too slow for most of the film but the last 25mins is a bit more dramatic and interesting.
Debbie I.
says
This was very weird, dark and no comedy involved
Lynn P.
says
An interesting film, well acted, but difficult to see where the "comedy" (as in "comedy-drama" on the cover description) is displayed - therefore wasn't what we were expecting.
Willemina G.
says
It was great until the last 15 minutes or so. It then got a bit too much.
Louise B.
says
This movie is very different to any other Woody Allen movie. What a shock at the end!! At the start we were laughing at the poor acting of the lead guy, however he really improved at the end. Scarlett is very good once again. Recommended, but definately not a comedy. Reminded us of a shakespearian tragedy.
Janet B.
says
Well produced modern film with some surprising turns in the plot.intersting characters and an ending that left some questions for the imagination.Plenty of drama.
John B.
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Kylie D.
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Not what i origanlly thought the movie was about.
Donna S.
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willow
says
This film reminds me of 'A place in the Sun', although the ending is quite different. It is a tale about fate, luck and the seduction of wealth and privilege. Jonathon Rhyss meyers plays a young man who is embraced by a wealthy family, through his friendship with their son. The daughter of the family falls in love with him but he is infatuated with the sons American ex-fiancee, played by the gorgeous Scarlett Johansson. His obssession with the ex-fiancee will put in danger the privileged lifestyle he has become accustomed to. This is a most atypical Woody Allen film, but a really good one. He uses the streetscape of London as atmospherically as he usually uses New York and the use of opera is brilliant as what we are seeing is a tragedy of operatic proportions. The movie will stay with you after you have seen it and the final stanza certainly took me by surprise.
Sara B.
says
I didn't really enjoy it that much, but was okay.
Michael S.
says
didnt like it
Sue B.
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Heide E.
says
Enjoyed it very much. Easy going but with a "sting".
Linda R.
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Guy T.
says
Boring!
Rebecca N.
says
ahh how the other half live. Scarlett her ever gorgeous self. Main character a bit annoying but I enjoyed the film
Carol C.
says
well acted and suspensful - reminded me of the old Alfred Hitchcock movies. Surprise ending!
Robert M.
says
Distressing
Jodie W.
says
Did not expect the ending. The tension had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Well worth a viewing.
Michael M.
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Elizabeth D.
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Bronwyn S.
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Ruth B.
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Robyn K.
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Brian B.
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Craig E.
says
good movie to examine how to socially climb.
The Mystery Guest
says
Sue M.
says
With all the cheating, lies & infidelities going on, where was the supposed comedy? Disappointing for a Woddy Allen movie, but found it engrossing none the less.The ending was certainly unpredictable. Certainly worth a look.
Peter S.
says
Lesson: Lying, deceit, self-indulgence, greed and ingraciating behaviour, perhaps even murder, will serve you well on the way to inclusion into the privileged social classes and upper levels of corporate business. I found this movie irritating and exasperating all the way through, so it must have been executed well enough to keep me significantly engaged with what was unfolding, courtesy of BBC's film unit. Women are represented particularly unfavourably. Entertainment? Certainly took me to a place I had not been before. But also one I'd be careful to avoid. Some loved it, so it certainly polarises opinion.
David S.
says
Neither the greatest Woody nor the greatest Scarlett, but certainly worth watching. Characters could have been spelt out a bit more. We can only guess about most of them
Sean D.
says
Great twist. Different from what you expect from Woody Allen
Sarah S.
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Vanessa G.
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Peter B.
says
This is a woody allen film without the usual funny liners. Not funny really and somewhat painfully predictable at times though with a twist in the end. Suspensful yes but ultimately too long.
Kathy H.
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Jennifer L.
says
Not too bad a movie
Colleen R.
says
Found this movie very bland
Sue J.
says
Not up to Woody Allen's usual standard! A promising premise doesn't really go anywhere. The acting doesn't have much energy or depth. Characters seem very two-dimensional, leaving the viewer with no empathy for their lives - or deaths. There are moments of sharp observation and black comedy, but as a whole, the movie lacks Woody Allen's customary edge or quirkiness. The result is unsatisfying - a rather flat and lacklustre viewing experience.
Andrew J.
says
Listed as Comedy. Not at all funny??
Kim W.
says
big twist at the end, very suspenseful
Emily P.
says
A little weird and freaky
says
Inze
says
Not what I expected, however an interesting set of characters. It's not the best movie for Scarlet Johanssen - it would have made things a lot more interesting if her character remained as portrayed in her opening scene - sassy and brassy in contrast to her stuffy upperclass peers living in a world of their own and that of Jon Meyer's character Chris Wilton who appeared to be totally in control and unemotional, harbouring an inner volcano. He gave me the creeps and if that was supposed to be the effect then well done.
Armand P.
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Maureen E.
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Helen M.
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Greg M.
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Daughter loved it!
Marg O.
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