Debbie Schlussel: "Scoop": Fun Thriller Opens Tonight (Overlooked in Today's Reviews)
One movie we forgot to include in today's movie reviews is "Scoop," by Director Woody Allen. It co-stars him, as well.
Maybe we forgot because it's the one tiny ray of light peaking out from this weekend's heap of crappy box office debuts. While we dislike the French-loving, uber-lefty, dysfunctional-family-values Allen--and usually don't like his films, we have to recommend this movie. It's well done--a fun, light, comedy/thriller about a mass murderer in England and an American college student/journalist (Scarlett Johannson--a skilled actress we like) who tries to foil him. Her partner in non-crime is an annoying magician from Brooklyn (Allen), who poses as her father.
While Allen, his thick annoying accent, and Jewish stereotype shtick are jarring and wear thin, very quickly, the movie is funny and enjoyable. It's the kind of movie that's not a downer or a complete waste of time like the rest of the new fare at the theater this weekend.
We note that the movie hits some similar notes to Allen's previous movie, "Match Point," from December of last year. Both star Johansson, both take place in London, and both involve a rich patrician playboy involved in murder. Except this one ends more satisfactorily--in a way, it's a parallel or mirror version in an alternate universe.
Recommended, even as we hold our nose for Mr. Soon Yee, Woody Allen.
Posted by Debbie on July 28, 2006 05:04 PM to Debbie Schlussel