alexdeleonfilm
An American journalism student in London (Scarlett Jo) gets the scoop on a big story, and begins an affair with an English aristocrat who just may be a serial killer Director: Woody Allen Writer: Woody Allen image1.jpegWoody's 2005 followup to last year's Xlnt Match Point Just came from seeing the latest Woody Allen-Scarlett Jo collaboration, "SCOOP". Well, he musta scooped this one up from the bottom of the barrel. Light fare, to say the least -- lighter than air on a Sunday afternoon in the Arizona desert. Scarlet --well, yeah --she's easy to look at, but she better look beyond Allen if she wants to get serious about her career. Jack Hughsome --or wuzzit Hugh Jackoff -- Good looking Aussie chap, but little or no screen charisma -- Woody obviously threw this plot together just so he could spend more time following Johansson's lovely little rump around the set for a few weeks. Supposedly a comedy, but I didn't find it very funny, and, except for the one scene with Scarlett in a skin-tight one-piece bathing suit emerging from a swimming pool -- pretty boring -- but, okay -- she's easy on the eyes. The film was so flimsy it was like Chinese takeout in the Jewish neighborhood -- fills you up for five minutes, then you're hungry again -- I actually felt so unsatisfied that I wanted to stay and see a real movie right afterward, but it was too late --as the Pushkin Theater was letting out for the night.
bowmanblue
'Scoop' is a Woody Allen film set in London. Despite this, most of its lead actors are not British. But that's by the way. The fact is that it's supposed to be a comedy. Only it's not really that funny. Sure, there are a few lines here and there (largely delivered by Woody Allen himself) which may raise a smile, but overall it's hardly a 'laugh out loud' affair.Scarlett Johansson plays a student journalist in London who, while on stage during one of (magician) Woody Allen's tricks, happens to be contacted by a ghost (Ian McShane) who tells her who a serial killer really is. She, in turn, decides to enlist Woody's help and track down the alleged culprit. Only the man in question is Hugh Jackson and she falls in love with him. So you're left with a kind of mish-mash of genres, encompassing supernatural, murder/mystery and romantic comedy. Sadly, it never really focuses on one area enough.Scarlett and Woody are likable enough leads, but they breeze through the story (which is about a serial killer murdering women and leaving tarot cards at the scene of the crime) like they're going on a picnic. It's actually quite a dark affair, but you never really feel it, even in the climax at the end.I read online that Woody Allen picked Scarlett Johansson because he thought she had untapped comedic value. She may well have, but she doesn't really get much of a chance to shine here. Woody takes all the best lines for himself, leaving little else for her to do apart from fall in love and act a bit kooky.Overall, 'Scoop' isn't a bad film, it's just not focused enough to be that memorable.Bonus point (for men!) – Scarlett in a swimsuit (still doesn't really save the entire movie though).
runamokprods
Another Allen film that was generally dismissed by critics, but for me was worth seeing. Certainly it's hard to argue that this is up there with Allen's best work, but it still has a lot of funny bits, and Allen and Scarlett Johansson have a great on-screen rapport as a young aspiring journalist and a slightly pathetic aging magician who team up to try and solve a murder case.The two Americans have to fake their way into the snooty upper-class world of London, to chase the young aristocrat who a ghostly Ian McShane (a great reporter who died, but got a tip crossing the river Styx, and came back to tell someone) has informed them committed a series of murders. Allen is very funny in these scenes as he tries to blend in with the lords and ladies, and Hugh Jackman does an excellent job as the suave, likable 'is he or isn't he' object of their investigations, who, naturally Johannson falls for. There are weaknesses; some logic problems with the mystery, and a pay-off that's less than one might hope. But this does a nice job of capturing some of the feel of a witty 1930s comedy. While no masterpiece, if almost anyone else had made this film, it might well have gotten praise as an enjoyable, well made romantic comedy thriller. It just doesn't quite stand up when compared to the heights Allen is capable of.
scarlett_is_best_waifu
OK, let's face it, we all watched it for Scarlett. However, I expected a lot more out of this film than what I got. Half of the time it was serious, and the other half it was trying not to look at the screen when Woody Allen opened his mouth. The plot was very promising, and could have made a classic if it was more similar to "Match Point". If I had written it, Woody's character would not have existed, instead Sondra's partner in crime would have been her friend.If you don't mind very cheesy Woody Allen comedy, then this movie is just fine. Scarlett's acting is wonderful as usual, and Hugh Jackman has never looked sexier (no homo). 4/10 for one of Woody Allen's worst films,+2 for Scarlett and Hugh.
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