tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post1967005116729694717..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Woody Allen, Master of Suspense?The Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-63619198462334776492012-07-22T11:58:51.232-07:002012-07-22T11:58:51.232-07:00Judy, "Match Point" was originally writt...Judy, "Match Point" was originally written as an American story to be filmed in the Hamptons. But the money to finance it was raised in England, so the story was moved to London. When asked if he had any problems writing about the class aspect of British life, Woody said he did the best he could relying on his own common sense but that any mistakes he made were brought to his attention by one of the producers or the production manager, who were British. So it seems this facet wasn't overlooked but portrayed as intended - which could be, as you mention, "part of the Hitchcock influence."The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-78577684811920112792012-07-21T13:46:48.891-07:002012-07-21T13:46:48.891-07:00A great piece, Eve. As a longtime Woody Allen fan,...A great piece, Eve. As a longtime Woody Allen fan, I saw this film on release and enjoyed it a lot, although, as a Brit, I will admit I had some reservations. The portrayal of British society seems very stereotyped and dated - making it seem like a period piece despite its apparently contemporary setting, which could, it now strikes me, be part of the Hitchcock influence. However, I thought all the actors were brilliant and the plot built up beautifully through its ironic series of twists - the comparison with Hitchcock hadn't struck me, but you make a persuasive case. <br /><br />I think there was a generally lukewarm reaction to the film in Britain and it was not very successful here, meaning Allen's following film, 'Scoop', despite being made in London, got no British release of any kind, in cinemas or even on DVD - we had to wait for a showing on TV a couple of years later! I really liked that one too when I finally got a chance to see it - another great performance by Scarlett Johansson, this time with the bonus of Woody being in front of the cameras and adding a lot of comedy, but again with a tense mystery plot. There is also a black comedy crime subplot in another British Allen film, 'You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger' and this strand, it now strikes me, again has a Hitchcockian flavour to it, as well as being vintage Woody! Anyway, I really enjoyed your piece, as you will have gathered - great stuff.Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-35505926461333537122012-07-18T12:01:41.245-07:002012-07-18T12:01:41.245-07:00Ken, So happy you're a "Match Point"...Ken, So happy you're a "Match Point" fan - it is superb, I think, so well constructed, cast, filmed. And I'm happy you enjoyed this piece. By the way, one of the high points of The Movie Projector's William Wyler blogathon for me was discovering your blog (for those interested - http://lecinemadreams.blogspot.com/).The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-74203874689956609222012-07-18T11:27:47.300-07:002012-07-18T11:27:47.300-07:00Richard, Sounds like you're a fan of Woody'...Richard, Sounds like you're a fan of Woody's "earlier, funnier" films. I like them, too, but my favorites are mostly from the '80s forward (much as I love "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan" and the Herb Ross-directed "Play it Again, Sam").The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-35620959863990988512012-07-18T01:21:38.241-07:002012-07-18T01:21:38.241-07:00I really loved this Woody Allen film (this and &qu...I really loved this Woody Allen film (this and "Cassandra's Dream") so it was quite a thrill to see it as the subject of your post. I loved reading your analysis and the ways in which you call attention to the Hitchcokian motifs and parallels. A thoroughly wonderful, thoughtful read!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44397217169155214812012-07-17T14:35:33.458-07:002012-07-17T14:35:33.458-07:00Im more a fan of his very early work, not so much ...Im more a fan of his very early work, not so much of the later. Richardtrumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14379869475899318079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-90186508543507394012012-07-16T17:32:26.391-07:002012-07-16T17:32:26.391-07:00CFB, Thanks! There aren't many things more rew...CFB, Thanks! There aren't many things more rewarding than inspiring another person to see a great movie.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-13119528405074317982012-07-16T10:15:19.432-07:002012-07-16T10:15:19.432-07:00Sadly I have not seen this film but now need to af...Sadly I have not seen this film but now need to after reading your excellent analysis.Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-9151575189713102702012-07-15T22:03:50.708-07:002012-07-15T22:03:50.708-07:00Kim, Agreed. As I re-watched "Match Point&quo...Kim, Agreed. As I re-watched "Match Point" I was reminded of how much more visual Allen has become over the years. I should give credit to cinematographer/DP Remi Adefarasin ("Sliding Doors," "Elizabeth" and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," plus much TV, including "Band of Brothers"). One of the things I love about "Match Point" is that Allen's dialogue is more restrained than usual (as it had to be) - boiled down to the essence, if you will.<br /><br />Allen has remarked that Hitchcock could take a murder scene and turn it into a minute-and-a-half of brilliant cinema (through montage), adding, "I'm more of a writer." He is. But he is also more than a writer.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-79221976180038597342012-07-15T20:49:49.216-07:002012-07-15T20:49:49.216-07:00Rick, Both you and R.D. mention Margaret Tyzack......Rick, Both you and R.D. mention Margaret Tyzack...and, since her name wasn't familiar to me and I haven't seen the original "Forsyte Saga," which you refer to, I went to IMDB to take a look at her filmography. I quickly realized that I've seen many of her films ("2001"?!?) as well as some of her TV work (Antonia in "I, Claudius"!). I also learned that she passed on just about a year ago. <br /><br />By the time I saw "Match Point," I was aware of its 'good buzz' but was not prepared for Woody Allen, Master of Suspense. I didn't devote any space to the humor of "Match Point," but it is there, very dry, wry and - as you note - sly. Hitchcock, of course, was noted for injecting humor into even his darkest works.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-66312041815104863762012-07-15T20:25:45.579-07:002012-07-15T20:25:45.579-07:00I think Allen has become more visual in his later ...I think Allen has become more visual in his later years, which allows him to be compared to Hitchcock. Being dialogue-driven for so many years really put him in the art-house niche, so it has been nice to see more visual development to go along with his great dialogue. Nice pick.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-9861431885367386502012-07-15T17:03:33.457-07:002012-07-15T17:03:33.457-07:00Eve, I loved your Hitchcock connections with MATCH...Eve, I loved your Hitchcock connections with MATCH POINT. I was hesitant to see it when it was released, primarily because I had lost confidence in Woody Allen as a filmmaker. But I enjoyed MATCH POINT, not only for the carefully-crafted suspense, but also for the sly humor. Speaking of Margaret Tyzack, I just watched her in the fabulous original TV miniseries of THE FORSYTE SAGA.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-5448741422661857632012-07-14T16:48:33.710-07:002012-07-14T16:48:33.710-07:00MCB - If Woody Allen was consciously channeling Al...MCB - If Woody Allen was consciously channeling Alfred Hitchcock with "Match Point," it is, in my opinion, his ultimate homage to another director's signature style and/or genre. I'm not certain it was conscious, though. Allen does have a penchant for mysteries (a "junk tooth" he calls it) and had visited this particular territory before ("Crimes and Misdemeanors"). <br /><br />You're right about the Dostoyevskian themes shared by "Match Point" and "Crimes and Misdemeanors." And the two films have a major plot point in common, as well. But "Match Point" possesses far more suspense, not to mention glamor, so that it succeeds both as a thriller and, because the moral issues aren't underplayed, a serious drama.<br /><br />Hitchcock's "Rope" was also, and obviously, influenced by Dostoyevsky. "Crime and Punishment" is mentioned in a scene no doubt because the murder that is the centerpiece of the film is carried out by two young men enamored with a philosophy similar to that of the novel's central character. <br /><br />Both of Allen's protagonists go on with their lives. Judah has restored, if not redeemed, his life. Chris seems to have grown remote and chilly. By the final scene his demeanor seemed to me not very far removed from that of Michael Corleone at the end of "Godfather II."The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-47483450393875891032012-07-14T13:49:08.188-07:002012-07-14T13:49:08.188-07:00R.D., How do I love thy comments, let me count the...R.D., How do I love thy comments, let me count the ways...<br /><br />I don't know that I originally believed Woody Allen was nodding in Hitchcock's direction as he had to other directors earlier on with "Stardust Memories" (a favorite) and "Interiors." But as I re-watched "Match Point" recently and one Hitchcock element after another surfaced before my eyes, I thought again. Allen doesn't directly acknowledge nodding to Hitchcock when he discusses "Match Point," but he does mention the differences in their styles and remark that Hitchcock would've constructed certain scenes more brilliantly. The philosophical dialogue in the film does seem very Woody Allen to me, though "Match Point" is less dialogue-driven than Allen's other serious films.<br /><br />Chris is seen reading "Crime and Punishment" at the beginning of the film (while researching for this piece, I was reminded that "Crime and Punishment" is mentioned in "Rope") and it was his discussion of Dostoyevsky with Alex Hewett (Brian Cox) that initially impressed his future father-in-law. The murder of the neighbor shocked me but, in terms of the plot and its character implications, it didn't bother me.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-90746129019292383032012-07-14T13:15:22.607-07:002012-07-14T13:15:22.607-07:00A wonderful and insightful post, Eve - you obvious...A wonderful and insightful post, Eve - you obviously put a lot of thought into it's writing. "Match Point" is a fantastic film and, as R.D. Finch pointed out, Woody channels Hitchcock as successfully as in earlier films he sometimes channeled Bergman or Fellini, among others - perhaps more successfully. I also think there is as much Dostoyevsky in "Match Point" as there is Hitchcock, which is what might connect it philosphically with "Crimes and Misdemeanors", when it's so different in so many other ways. Woody nailed it on this one. Perhaps he considered it his best film up to that point because it came off as a film devoid of any of the familiar Woody Allen identity (Woody never seemed to be a big Woody Allen fan). I thought that also could have been said for "Interiors", which was steeped in Bergman, except I thought that film was pretty awful (I don't recall one second of intentional humor in that film). I think Woody has been long in pursuit of the devastating effect that mines moral and philosophical conflict - he definitely achieved it in "Match Point".Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-1706251129620288882012-07-14T12:20:13.274-07:002012-07-14T12:20:13.274-07:00Eve, a great post in which you persuasively sugges...Eve, a great post in which you persuasively suggest that "Match Point" might be seen as a nod to Hitchcock in the way "Stardust Memories" is to Fellini and "Interiors" to Bergman. You found many points of comparison between Hitchcock's films and this one to bolster this view. I think "Match Point" is Allen's best film in many years, but I find it impossible to think of as a Woody Allen film. If you saw this without knowing who directed it, he would probably be one of the last people you would think of. It was always obvious that he was a perceptive observer of human behavior, but this films reminds us that he is a deeper thinker and more serious student of cinema than he likes to let on.<br /><br />The one thing that made me uncomfortable was the death of Margaret Tyzack, which was as cold-blooded as the murder of the pawnbroker in "Crime and Punishment" (which seems to be one of the inspirations for this film). Speaking of Tyzack, as a fan of great British actors, the ones in this film were one its great appeals for me--in addition to Tyzack, Brian Cox, Penelope Wilton, and Emily Mortimer, and several faces familiar from British TV.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-15100292954594466762012-07-14T09:35:17.767-07:002012-07-14T09:35:17.767-07:00Aurora, "Match Point" is destined to be ...Aurora, "Match Point" is destined to be one of the all-time stand-outs in Woody Allen's filmography and I've been wanting to do a piece on it for a long time. Thankfully, Dorian and Becky came up with this blogathon theme and gave me the perfect opportunity.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-65986884177367612542012-07-14T09:16:59.005-07:002012-07-14T09:16:59.005-07:00Woody's "strategy" is to make a film...Woody's "strategy" is to make a film every year, this allows him to invent a world he can inhabit for about 10 mos. of the year, he says. With a schedule like that it's no wonder his filmography is a mix of great and mid-level films along with some real misfires.<br /><br />I'll contact you by email about collaborating on a piece about our favorite Woody Allen films.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-11199861319826093452012-07-14T05:27:53.587-07:002012-07-14T05:27:53.587-07:00I really like this movie so glad to see it get som...I really like this movie so glad to see it get some attention in a great write-up! Love all the details and comparisons to Hitch films. Great read!<br /><br />AuroraCitizen Screenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11596338896095275116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-76245239881566960992012-07-14T04:34:07.356-07:002012-07-14T04:34:07.356-07:00Woody continues to surprise. I caught TO ROME WITH...Woody continues to surprise. I caught TO ROME WITH LOVE last weekend and if I had to place it somewhere it would probably be classed as mid-little Woody. Not as bad as YOU WILL TALK TO A DARK STRANGER and certainly not as good as MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. Still, it has its share of laughs and it does have Woody.<br /><br />If you are interested in doing something collorative let's talk.John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-38595805423859742722012-07-13T23:34:52.038-07:002012-07-13T23:34:52.038-07:00Lesley, The unexpected ending underscored the film...Lesley, The unexpected ending underscored the film's theme and philosophical underpinnings perfectly. A surprise plot twist at the end is something Hitchcock had down ("Stage Fright," "Vertigo," "Psycho") but wasn't associated with Woody Allen at all - 'til "Match Point." No one saw it coming...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44715386194163562452012-07-13T21:09:16.781-07:002012-07-13T21:09:16.781-07:00I loved Match Point! Such a great cliffhanger and ...I loved Match Point! Such a great cliffhanger and you think it's going to go one way, but it goes another. It really was an, "I didn't see that coming," kind of film.Lesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09891380215139483258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-36455625453965007542012-07-13T21:05:18.271-07:002012-07-13T21:05:18.271-07:00Yvette, I came to "Match Point" not long...Yvette, I came to "Match Point" not long after it surfaced on pay-per-view - I'm sure I'd been aware that it was receiving strong reviews and had done well. But I had no idea what to expect - and certainly didn't expect to be reminded of the Master of Suspense. <br /><br />I hope I haven't spoiled it for you by giving away most (but not all!) of the plot.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-45978345883708328352012-07-13T20:59:13.024-07:002012-07-13T20:59:13.024-07:00Dorian, I managed to post my contribution on time,...Dorian, I managed to post my contribution on time, whew! The "Best Hitchcock Movies (That Hitchcock Never Made) blogathon is a great concept and, as a blogger, it has been one of the most interesting and enjoyable I've participated in. Kudos and thanks to you for all your effort. I hope you do have a chance to watch "Match Point" start to finish sometime soon. It's very well made and engaging. A must-see for Woody Allen fans.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-23604083842790333052012-07-13T20:54:03.887-07:002012-07-13T20:54:03.887-07:00'Gypsy, I agree with you completely that the f...'Gypsy, I agree with you completely that the film's mystery is enhanced and advanced by its two stars. Allen knew they were right for their roles but they actually surprised him by surpassing his expectations. "Match Point" as a whole exceeded his expectations. He also seemed very pleased that he had finally been able to make a successful film without relying on humor. There is one fairly comic character, a rental agent, but his moment is very brief. The film does work well as a social satire. The banal twittering of the two silver spoon-fed Hewett children, Tom and Chloe, can be amusing - it's as if no thought of any substance ever passes through either of their sweet, empty heads. <br /><br />There are definite similarities in plot and theme between "Match Point" and "Crimes and Misdemeanors," but I don't see the latter as a thriller, really. For me, it lacks that element of excitement that seems essential to a thriller. In any case, it does anticipate "Match Point."The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.com