Match Point (2005)
Coming Out at 26 October 2005 in theaters.
Drama, Romance, Thriller
Match Point is psychological thriller film written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode, Brian Cox, and Penelope Wilton. In the film, Rhys Meyers’s character marries into a wealthy family, but his social position is threatened by his affair with his brother-in-law’s girlfriend, played by Johansson. The film deals with themes of morality, greed, and the roles of lust, money, and luck in life, leading many to compare it to Allen’s earlier film Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989). It was produced and filmed in London after Allen had difficulty finding financial support for the film in New York. The agreement obliged him to make it there using a cast and crew mostly from the United Kingdom. Allen quickly re-wrote the script, which was originally set in New York, for a British setting.
Chris Wilton, a recently retired tennis professional from Ireland, is taken on as an instructor at an upmarket club in London. He strikes up a friendship with a wealthy pupil, Tom Hewett, after discovering their common affinity for opera. Tom’s older sister, Chloe, is smitten with Chris, and the two begin dating. During a family gathering, Chris meets Tom’s American fiancée, Nola Rice, and they are instantly attracted to each other. Tom’s mother, Eleanor, does not approve of her son’s relationship with Nola, a struggling actress, which is a source of tension in the family. Chloe encourages her father, Alec, to give Chris a job as an executive in one of his companies; he begins to be accepted into the family and marriage is discussed.
During a storm, after having her choice of profession questioned by Eleanor, Nola leaves the house to be alone. Chris follows Nola outside and confesses his feelings for her, and they passionately have sex in a wheat-field. Feeling guilty, Nola treats this as an accident; Chris, however, wants an ongoing clandestine relationship. Chris and Chloe marry, while Tom ends his relationship with Nola.
Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Stars: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode, Brian Cox, Penelope Wilton
Cast:
| Jonathan Rhys Meyers | … | Chris Wilton |
| Alexander Armstrong | … | Mr. Townsend |
| Paul Kaye | … | Estate Agent |
| Matthew Goode | … | Tom Hewett |
| Brian Cox | … | Alec Hewett |
| Penelope Wilton | … | Eleanor Hewett |
| Emily Mortimer | … | Chloe Hewett Wilton |
| Janis Kelly | … | ‘La Traviata’ Performers |
| Alan Oke | … | ‘La Traviata’ Performers |
| Mark Gatiss | … | Ping-Pong Player |
| Scarlett Johansson | … | Nola Rice |
| Philip Mansfield | … | Waiter |
| Simon Kunz | … | Rod Carver |
| Geoffrey Streatfeild | … | Alan Sinclair |
| Mary Hegarty | … | ‘Rigoletto’ Performer |
| John Fortune | … | John the Chauffeur |
| Rupert Penry-Jones | … | Henry |
| Patricia Whymark | … | Telephone Operator |
| Anthony O’Donnell | … | Custodian |
| Miranda Raison | … | Heather |
| Rose Keegan | … | Carol |
| Zoe Telford | … | Samantha |
| Margaret Tyzack | … | Mrs. Eastby |
| Scott Handy | … | Hewetts’ Friends |
| Emily Gilchrist | … | Hewetts’ Friends |
| Selina Cadell | … | Margaret |
| Georgina Chapman | … | Nola’s Co-Worker |
| Colin Salmon | … | Ian |
| Toby Kebbell | … | Policeman |
| Steve Pemberton | … | Detective Parry |
| Ewen Bremner | … | Inspector Dowd |
| James Nesbitt | … | Detective Banner |
| Alex Argenti | … | Tourist |
| Morne Botes | … | Party Guest |
| Spencer Kayden | … | Mme. Seyffertitz |
| Michelle Lima | … | Spanish Tennis Player |
| Eddie Marsan | … | Office Worker |
| Dawn Murphy | … | Cloakroom Girl |
| Leonard Silver | … | Bridge Player |
| Tina Simmons | … | Opera Patron |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia