"Sometimes to have a little good luck is the most brilliant plan" - Woody Allen

From "Crimes and Misdemeanors":

Professor Levy: We're all faced throughout our lives with agonizing decisions, moral choices. Some are on a grand scale, most of these choices are on lesser points. But we define ourselves by the choices we have made. We are, in fact, the sum total of our choices. Events unfold so unpredictably, so unfairly, Human happiness does not seem to be included in the design of creation. it is only we, with our capacity to love that give meaning to the indifferent universe. And yet, most human beings seem to have the ability to keep trying and even try to find joy from simple things, like their family, their work, and from the hope that future generations might understand more.

From "Matchpoint":

Chris Wilton: I'd rather be lucky than good.
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Woody Allen's latest film, "Match Point" finally opened in Toronto tonight! I feel as though I have been waiting on tenterhooks to see this film since last Spring. I am in love with Woody Allen's style of filmmaking, his comedy, as well as his "not so early, not so funny films" and his point of view. Going into this movie I was curious simply to see what everyone was so excited about. "Matchpoint" has been getting raves from critics and from the general public - even those not fond of Woody's previous work loved this movie. If I wasn't so secure in my complete adoration of him that fact might have almost worried me.

I fear I have no insightful or clever things to say about the film. Roger Ebert, however, is very smart, especially for a guy who spends so much time watching movies. I wish I had said this:

"When "Match Point" premiered at Cannes last May, the critics agreed it was "not a typical Woody Allen film." This assumes there is such a thing. Allen has worked in a broad range of genres and has struck a lot of different notes, although often he uses a Woody Figure (preferably played by himself) as the hero. "Match Point" contains no one like Woody Allen; is his first film set in London; is constructed with a devious clockwork plot that would distinguish a film noir, and causes us to identify with some bad people. In an early scene, a character is reading Crime and Punishment, and during the movie, as during the novel, we are inside the character's thoughts."

Thank you, Roger.

I loved the film. It was beautifully crafted - the acting was engaging all around, visually it was just stunning and the fact that it was shot in London, using primarily British actors and an operatic score only serves to prove that even without the jokes, the Manhattan skyline and Big Noise from Winnetka on the soundtrack, Woody Allen has something to say. Something worth listening to.