Match Point (2005)
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77% of critics liked it
(205 reviews) -
78% of users liked it
(227,494 ratings)
A clandestine love affair sends one man's charmed life into a tailspin in this dark, disturbing drama written and directed by Woody Allen, his first film set and shot in Great Britain and one his few films sans any humor. Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is an Irish tennis player with an… More A clandestine love affair sends one man's charmed life into a tailspin in this dark, disturbing drama written and directed by Woody Allen, his first film set and shot in Great Britain and one his few films sans any humor. Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is an Irish tennis player with an impoverished background. Just accomplished enough to make his way onto the professional circuit, but not skilled enough to be a consistent winner, he now works as an instructor at a London tennis club. The wealthy Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode), who is as impressed by Chris's charm and good looks as he is by his game, takes a tennis lesson from the young man. 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 also feels an overwhelming attraction to Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), a sexy blonde from the United States who is dating Tom. Though Nola initially puts up some resistance, Chris gently nudges her in the direction of an affair. Passion soon ignites between the two, and they have a one-time sexual encounter, even as Chris and Chloe plan their wedding. Nola resists, however, when Chris makes additional attempts to wheedle her into bed. Nola drops out of Chris's life shortly before his wedding, but a chance meeting a few months later resurrects the relationship as Chris and Chloe try to start a family. Match Point received its world premiere in an enthusiastically received presentation at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Woody Allen
- Written By
- Woody Allen
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Dec 28, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- Dreamworks
Critic Reviews
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
... a nifty little crowd pleaser ...
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Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Match Point isn't one of his truly great films, like Annie Hall or Manhattan, but it's a very good one; a sign that a career that seemed stalled is purring along once more.
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Match Point is airless, repetitive.
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Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Match Point has a coiled, taut energy that's unusual for Allen.
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Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
In every scene, Allen's direction is unflinchingly clear-eyed, and it's a pleasure being walked through London at the same unhurried pace that he's taken through Manhattan all these years.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Scarlett Johansson
as Nola Rice
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Jonathan Rhys Meyers
as Chris Wilton
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Emily Mortimer
as Chloe Hewett Wilton
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Matthew Goode
as Tom Hewett
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Brian Cox
as Alec Hewett
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Penelope Wilton
as Eleanor Hewett
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Ewen Bremner
as Inspector Dowd
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James Nesbitt
as Detective Banner
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Rupert Penry-Jones
as Henry
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Margaret Tyzack
as Mrs. Eastby
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Selina Cadell
as Margaret
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John Fortune
as John the Chauffeur
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Gilly Gilchrist
as Hewetts' Friend
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Anthony O'Donnell
as Custodian
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Colin Salmon
as Ian
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Simon Kunz
as Rod Carver
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Mark Gatiss
as Ping-Pong Player
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Steve Pemberton
as Detective Perry
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Paul Kaye
as Estate Agent
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Scott Handy
as Hewetts' Friend
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Zoe Telford
as Samantha
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Janis Kelly
as "La Traviata" Performer
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Rose Keegan
as Carol
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Toby Kebbell
as Policeman
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Georgina Chapman (II)
as Nola's Co-Worker
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Geoffrey Streatfield
as Alan Sinclair
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Alexander Armstrong
as Mr. Townsend
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Alan Oke
as "La Traviata" Performer
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Philip Mansfield
as Waiter
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Mary Hegarty
as "Rigoletto" Performer
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Patricia Whymark
as Telephone Operator
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Miranda Raison
as Heather
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Nikki Inwood
as Stand-In
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Steve Morphew
as Stand-In



