| A clandestine love affair sends one man's charmed life into a tailspin in this comedy drama written and directed by Woody Allen, his first film set and filmed in Great Britain. Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is a tennis player who was just good enough to make his way onto the professional circuit, but not good enough to be a consistent winner. Looking for a more stable career, Chris is hired on as a resident professional at an exclusive tennis club by Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode), who is as impressed by his charm and good looks as he is by his game. 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 has also caught the eye of Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), a sexy blonde from the United States who is dating Tom. Nola makes no secret of her attraction to Chris, and he can't help but be drawn to her; the two quickly begin an affair, even as Chris and Chloe plan their wedding. Chris thinks good fortune has come his way when Nola drops out of his life shortly before his wedding, but a chance meeting a few months later brings Nola back into his life as he 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, All Movie Guide |