Woody Allen scores big with "Matchpoint"

If you are looking for a zany, funny, offbeat romantic comedy with a neurotic, whiny middle-aged male character, then this is not the film for you.

Although written and directed by funnyman Woody Allen, Match Point is a suspenseful romantic drama that tells the story of Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), a former tennis pro and social elite wannabe, who takes a job teaching tennis at a London country club in hope of connecting himself to the British upper class.

Chris befriends Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode), a member of the club, and soon climbs the social ladder. Chris finds easy acceptance into the influential Hewett family for his charm. He also wins over Tom's younger sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer).

Chris patiently and skillfully romances Chloe and soon lands himself in a profitable deep relationship. All would have been perfect if not for one bit of bad luck: Chris becomes obsessed with Tom's American girlfriend Nola (Scarlett Johansson.)

Match Point, Allen's best work since Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), received a lot of publicity since appearing at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival as well as receiving a 2006 Oscar nomination for best screenplay.

Here, Allen makes several major changes to his filmmaking that both surprise and thrill. Allen's changes create a new look and present a serious approach to this drama. Although the plot bears strong similarities to Crimes, elaborate details and refined story design strengthen Match Point's suspense.

Allen successfully steps away from the familiar Manhattan where many of his stories are set. Match Point is filmed entirely in England. Known for their distinct separation of classes, Britain's upper-class atmosphere creates a perfect backdrop for this tale of deception, infidelity and passion. This change of setting separates the audience from any preconceived ideas or expectations often associated with other Woody Allen films.

Another traditional Allen element absent from this film is the complicated, multiple storylines that he often utilizes. In abandoning this complexity, Allen creates a more intense single storyline and allows for broader development of the characters. In doing so, Allen immerses the audience into the character's lives to achieve a realistic atmosphere.

In the beginning of the film, Chris reads Crimes and Punishment. Allen uses this book to draw parallels and foreshadow the plot. Dostoevsky's classic novel tells a story of a young man who plans a hideous crime that stands to benefit him financially.

After committing the crime, the young man eventually drives himself crazy with grief and remorse. The use of this novel accomplishes two important functions, the first being the plot foreshadowing. Secondly, it illustrates Chris's attempts at masquerading as a complex literary mind.

Much of the theme of the film surrounds tennis, but Allen includes elements of luck and existentialism to show that life is not anyways played by a stringent set of rules. The game of tennis indicates parallels in the way Chris played professional tennis and his current life.

When Chris encounters an old tennis buddy on the street, the man comments on how Chris played with confidence and was always cool under pressure. Chris now lives his live in the same manner, confident and always cools under pressure.

Chris understands the mechanics of the game and applies these strategies in his daily life. He plays toe-to-toe and waits for his opponent to make a mistake so as to capitalize upon it. He knows that even the best performance on the court, as in life, occasionally is trumped by bad luck. Luck, good or bad, is the wild card that can make or break your game plan.

Allen uses existentialism to invoke the consciousness of existence, or more precisely, the struggle for existence. This struggle is seen throughout the story, but is best illustrated in the scene when two ghosts visit Chris. In this dream-like reflection, Chris faces the consequences of his actions and justifies this as the necessary steps in achieving his goal.

Chris reluctantly accepts these haunting memories in exchange for the life of the British upper class. In essence, he sells his soul for the comfort of the social elite, but in doing so, commits himself to a life of unhappiness. Here too, Allen brings the classic tale of Faust, a man who makes a deal with the devil for material possessions in exchange for his soul, into the 21st century.

Match Point successfully captures the intensity of Chris's passion for Nola and the depth of his corruption. Portrayed as deceitful and a liar, Chris is also a sad individual who relentlessly searches for love and happiness. Just as in other Woody Allen films, this film contains characters behaving badly and doing outlandish things, but inexplicably, the audience roots for them.

Because of Chris's under-privileged Irish working-class background, we look upon him as the underdog. Whether we agree with Chris's actions or not, we feel compassion for his position. If Chris truly seeks happiness and love, he must choose Nola. Chris gets what he wants, but he pays a price that leaves him as broke as at the start.

Matchpoint Rated R Director: Woody Allen Starring: Jonathon Rhys- Meyers, Scarlett Johannson Run time: 124 minutes.