Cinecast #68: Crime and Nihilism
Match Point: Woody Allen's new film "Match Point" was originally set in the Hamptons on New York's Long Island. A Hitchcockian tale of a working class tennis pro caught up in a seductive world of wealth, it's easy to imagine "Match Point" taking place on the manicured lawns of 'East Egg'. But when financing fell through and the BBC rescued the film, Allen changed the location from New York to London. It's a huge change for the usually Manhattan-bound Allen, but it's a seamless fit for the class-conscious story and its shallow, impeccably attired characters.
So, is "Match Point" the best Woody Allen film in almost 20 years, or just the best in recent memory? Or is it not even the best Woody Allen film released in the last 12 months? Adam and Sam have a conversation filled with bitter acrimony as they disagree on their third film in four weeks.
Also on the show, listeners share their thoughts on "Brokeback Mountain" and prompt Sam to belt out a few bars from "West Side Story." Plus, Massacre Theatre and a preview of this week's Top 5 Cheating Hearts -- Movies About Adultery.
Music by The Randy Bandits ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.
Cinecast #68
:34-20:51 - Review: "Match Point"
Music: The Randy Bandits, "It's a Life"
22:21-32:38 - Notes/Corrections/Poll/iTunes Explainer
32:39-44:33 - Listener Feedback (Man-Crushes, Brokeback, Tragic Love Stories)
Music: The Randy Bandits, "Fight The Hungry Lions"
46:19-49:16 - Massacre Theatre
49:15-54:33 - Top 5 Cheating Hearts Preview
Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.
posted by Sam @ 11:33 AM
21 comments
21 Comments:
there's a silent gap at about 47 minutes (thought you might like to know)
Adam - does Match Point reflect the London you remember, or merely a tourist's appromimation of the real thing?
Good question. Of course, these people have a style of living that I have never known and likely never will. So it's hard to say I had a similar experience as what we see here. And yet, I do think of London the way it is presented. London is pretty cheap if you're a student, and since my rent and most expenses were part of my college tuition, all I spent my money on was going to plays, seeing concerts, museums, etc... I think it's an idealized version of London, one that most Londoners probably won't completely buy. But that's exactly what I have in my head -- an idealized version of London.
The "London Question" is a good one. First off, I think it IS representative of my life and I am by no means rich. Most stuff they show is cheap and accessible - the Tate is free, the Curzon cinema is a tenner, the ROH has tickets for a tenner too (albeit not in a box). But more to the point, Woody doesn't claim that it IS representative and the odd ironic and self-deprecating touch only helps to make that point - Sloane Square apparently only having Mini's driving around it. That's where the Bridget Jones/Love Actually guys are nauseating - they pretend that everyone in London sends their children to the same local school (which they don't) without the slightest irony (which, of course, ought to be a British thing)
Good answers, guys, thanks. The Tate Modern is a good example. Do they use that in the film rather than Tate Britain?
I remember staying in Washington DC for a couple of weeks and enjoying all the free stuff. However, walking around those giant neo-classical buildings does wear you out.
Those 'year abroad' study years are a doozey, aren't they!
Yes, Tate Modern is used.
Well that's good. I think landmarks and other buildings in movies enrich travel. So for instance, visiting New York's public library, I could imagine I was in Ghostbusters. It's a shallow but rewarding pleasure.
One movie you guys should think about reviewing is The Matador. It looks funny and would be interesting to see how Pierce Brosnan plays the role post Bond.
There's nothing interesting about Brosnan's acting, Bond or no Bond.
Did a listener email just give away the ending of "Brokeback Mountain"? I haven't seen it yet!
I hope not... we do try to keep out any comments that would spoil the film. I'll go back and listen.
That said, there is no "twist" or surprise ending of course. I knew basically what was going to happen and was still moved by it.
Hang on. Isn't Paul Bethany supposed to be some plucky, working class tennis player? Then why does he have such a plummy voice!!!
I can handle rich Ney Yorkers on film, but I can't stand watching films about posh, trendy Londoners. I won't be going to see this.
He DOES NOT have a plummy voice! Contrast his accent with that of Chloe's brother. Goode is the only actor who affects a genuine upper class accent. (And it isn't Paul Bethany but Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Paul Bethany is in "Wimbledon".)
To my ears, he sounds like a public schoolboy who was half-heartedly tried to make his accent a little more 'street'.
Sorry for the Bethany mistake; a much more interesting actor than Rhys Meyers!
Yeah, well, most public schoolboys are "only" upper middle class. You know it's a real aristo accent when they pronounce "house" as "hice" to rhyme with mice, not mouse! Jon. Rhys-Meyers is a long way from that....
Yeah, in fact, the film is about the upper-middles classes, anyway. I mean, the upper classes are few and far between, talking (as you mentioned) about their 'hices', or rather their stately homes.
Bloody hell - look at us and our English class obsessions!
I don't beat myself up about it too much. Americans are just as class conscious, they just don't vocalise it as much. I know people (admittedly all East coast) who stress about getting their kids into the "right" prep school and bitch about the "new money" in the Hamptons. Hmmm.... Maybe I just need to hang out with different people!
Hold on, did you guys just give away the ending of Crimes and Misdemeanors near the end of the Match Point discussion? I was planning to watch it this weekend!
I'm pretty sure I didn't give up the ending... I remember trying to be as vague as possible. But I certainly didn't give away anything that would ruin the movie. And hey, it's 17 years old... after 5 years or so a movie is free game isn't it?
Well, you did mention a certain someone (AH) dying, but as long as that won't really ruin the movie for me, it's cool.
Also, I think I've got a great idea for the 100th episode. Yes, I'm thinking too far ahead, but how about your Top 10 movies of all time? It'll probably be the hardest list to ever put together, but by then I'm sure you guys will be daring enough to cut down from the 5000+ movies you've watched to just 10 of your favorites. I've always been curious to know which those would be and I think it'll make for the most interesting Top 10 on the show.
Wow, top 10 ever... that would be hard, but a good idea.
You're totally right on Crimes. I DID give away too much information. This hit me in the shower this morning. But no, it most certainly should not ruin the movie for you.
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