Mumbling comic wit genius director/actor Woody Allen brings his years of film experience, and obsession with death and love (or should I say, Love and Death,) to the big screen once again with comic murder mystery Scoop. Bringing back three things from his last film, Match Point, pouty lipped beauty, Scarlett Johansson as journalist student Sondra Pransky, his new second favorite city, London, and the gorgeous look of the film, create something brilliant that you would expect from this seasoned filmmaker.
Woody Allen fans will appreciate this film more than others. Murder, mystery, love, death, and of course, the bumbling Allen himself. Atleast this time he does not have a romantic relationship with the beautiful actress who plays opposite with him. Instead, Allen, who plays magician, Splendini, AKA Sid Waterman, pretends to be Sondra Pransky's father. The two get a hot tip from a famous English journalist, Joe Strombel, played by Ian McShane, who just happens to be dead. They pose as father and daughter to uncover the mystery of the Tarot Card killer, which Strombel believes to be none other than handsome Peter Lyman, son of Lord Lyman, played by Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman. Let the hilarity begin.
My biggest complaint, which I've noticed in the past, is Johansson's acting style. She is very theatrical, which as a theatre major I'm OK with, and which is also very common with Woody's movies. So, as an actor and a theatre major, I'm used to being very nitpicky with acting. I've noticed that sometimes Scarlett seems to be waiting to say her response until the other person has spoken instead of letting her response be in reaction to what the other person has said. If you've ever taken an acting class, you might get what I'm saying. If you don't get what I'm saying, then you probably will never notice it. Again, it's a tiny thing, and I could still enjoy the movie despite it.
If you're not a fan of Woody Allen's humor, you may still enjoy this film, as Johansson does an incredibly hilarious job at the dorky American student visiting England. Still, most of the pee your pants hilarity comes from paying close attention to the ramblings of Mr. Allen. If you were in the crowd that was first in line to see Little Man, then odds are you better skip this one. But if you are a fan of Woody Allen's films, not just his comedies, definitely check this one out. It's by far the funniest movie I've seen all year, and so far my favorite.
Overall Grade: A+
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