Writer/Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Matthew Goode and Jonathan Rhys Meyers
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses have earned praise of Scarlett Johansson. Since her recognition in the 1990’s, Johansson has been a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, comic-book heroines or lost lovers, Johansson has played characters. Arguably, Johansson’s strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always had a talent for stealing the show in roles which have limited screen-time. Through ability to play strong characters that are compelling, Johansson has created a strpng legacy that’s lasting. Although she is arguably best known for her role as Black Widow in the MCU, Johansson has proven she can create movies in every genre. Throughout her career, Johansson has made many movies that are absolutely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Johansson and adore all her movies. However, “Match Point” is my favourite. Released in 2005, Woody Allen’s movie offered a beautiful portrait of tennis. Packed with captivating production design, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it is one of the best movies ever made about tennis. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Scarlett Johansson, who portrays a woman seeking success in tennis competition. Ultimately, what makes “Match Point” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about tennis, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. An astonishing masterpiece about tennis, there are many strong reasons why “Match Point” is worth watching.
“Match Point” tells a story of a tennis player that falls in love in a relationship without any point. Jonathan Rhys Meyers portrays Chris, a bold tennis pro with goals to accomplish. Chris has always shown strong dedication to the games of tennis which he has grown up to cherish. However. Chris’ life changes when he falls in love with an actress causing disaster. Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson) is a fierce actress with strong beauty standards. Despite his engagement to another woman, Chris falls in love with Nola whom he always regards with affections. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Chris questions whether it’s possible for him to transform in a successful tennis player.
Woody Allen is fascinated with the themes of doomed love. A phenomenal filmmaker, Allen has often made engaging films about doomed lovers that face disaster. His iconic movie “Manhattan” offered a strong portrait of writers falling in love in doomed romantic relationships causing tension in Manhattan. With “Match Point”, however, Allen created his first tennis drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tennis players which seek glory but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Allen captures a tennis player facing adversities. Evoking Alfred Hitchcock’s “Strangers on a Train”, Allen expertly uses handheld camera to capture tennis players facing a dilemma. Using captivating handheld camera, Allen crafts a portrait of tennis that’s compelling. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to employ in movies. As Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” demonstrated, handheld camera enhances comic-book films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using strong visuals, Allen captures the hardships tennis players are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Match Point” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired with Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump”, Allen effectively uses costumes to capture tensions which tennis players are facing. Throughout the movie, Nola’s costumes exhibit her strong personality as a tennis player. For instance, costumes enhance the tennis competitions scene. During this intense scene, Nola faces hardships when she participates in her first ever tennis competition. Using captivating costumes, Allen creates a portrait of tennis that’s engaging. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. Martin Crewes’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the burden that tennis players often bear. Through stunning production, Allen captures tennis prodigies that face tension.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Scarlett Johansson delivers one of her best career performances as Nola. Johansson first earned appreciation for playing bold heroines in Marvel’s comic-book movies. With “Match Point”, however, she took on her most tricky role. It isn’t simple to play a celebrated actress that falls in love with a tennis player that causes adversity but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever watched her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. It’s a strong performance from one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Scarlett Johansson, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is riveting, bringing dedication to a tennis player that engages in intense competitions causing pressures. Emily Mortimer is extraordinary, capturing the bright personality of a woman falling in love with a tennis player causing adversity. Lastly, Matthew Goode merits recognition. As a competitive tennis player, he brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Match Point” would earn the praise of everyone for capturing tennis players that seek a match point. Unlike most films about tennis, it tackles bold themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, grief and profession which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of tennis to appreciate it. It gives a strong message about dedication which would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “Match Point” is one of those rare movies about tennis that everyone would absolutely adore.
Fans of Scarlett Johansson will absolutely love “Match Point” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold tennis drama, it celebrates an actress with charisma.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about lovers that are fond of playing the game of tennis, it’s an exceptional reminder of a commemorated actress that has managed to accomplish great feats though her abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable films which audiences cherish.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 