Scoop

by Ari

Scoop is very light business for Woody Allen, the sort of playful and sweet comedic innocence found in lesser, but entertaining works such as Manhattan Murder Mystery or Alice. His escapist fare has always been second fiddle to his realistic character studies, but more thoughtful and amusing than a good majority of today's comedies. Scoop is the opposite of Allen’s usually bleak and pessimistic outlook on life, a reversal from Match Point’s electrifying and shocking nature. Anyone expecting dramatic, emotional, or thematic complexity will be greatly disappointed by Scoop’s rather simple and frivolous tone. Allen introduces his cutesy antics immediately, tossing aside all serious and realistic ideas from the outset. This is simple and easy entertainment with no real ambition other than making you laugh as much as possible. And since Allen manages a few sequences of genuine hilarity between a reasonably diverting piece of comedic fluff, Scoop is worth a look.

While recent Woody Allen comedies of modest aims have resulted in the forgettable (or sometimes catastrophic), Scoop is a relatively delightful little excursion into his usual oddities and humor. It’s more of the same, only with fresh new faces taking a swing at the routine. Thankfully, those fresh faces are extremely appealing and charming, making Allen’s light intentions seem as alive and fun as he wishes. This may not be Broadway Danny Rose, but it’s still a stronger effort than many of his uninspired attempts at comedy of the past few years.

The story is centered on a young American journalism student’s (Scarlett Johannson) adventure investigating an aristocrat (Hugh Jackman) that may or may not be the infamous tarot card killer that’s been stalking the streets of London. She discovers this enticing scoop from a deceased reporter who cheats death to communicate with the living. Like I said, no traces of realism at all. She meets this ghost while participating in a disappearing act at Sid Waterman’s (Woody Allen) magic show. The ghost, Joe Strombel (Ian McShane), feeds her information on Peter Liman, a distinguished and successful businessman who he believes is secretly the fiendish villain terrorizing innocent women across England. Eager to prove herself and begin a career, she finds a way to meet Liman and get entangled in his life. He, of course, is immediately smitten, and she can’t help but be swept off her feet by his charm and sophistication. She and Sid have an adventure of sorts, trying to gather clues and turn speculation into fact. And while it all seems like an excuse for Woody Allen to enjoy the company of the lovely Scarlett Johansson, that obvious element actually works for the film. Allen and Johansson are an unlikely, but funny match, and she in particular shows an exuberance and effectiveness for light comedy. Their chemistry is quite good, or at least, good enough for the mostly silly circumstances Allen puts the characters in. She and Allen are in just about every sequence of the film, and their energy and enjoyment never wears thin.

Johannson is quickly becoming the brightest young actress working today, going from one interesting project to the next, challenging herself and pushing her abilities. She’s come along nicely since her impressive and mature work in Lost in Translation, proving she can handle comedy just as well as drama. In Woody Allen, she’s found an intellectual director who understands her talents, and her performances in Match Point and Scoop demonstrate an emotional range that many young actresses only dream of accomplishing. She’s also perhaps the most classically beautiful woman in the industry today, looking more old-fashioned Hollywood star than contemporary hipster. It will be interesting watching her grow and develope her abilities. She has an eye for solid material (The Prestige and Black Dahlia come out later this year), and will amass a strong filmography if she continues to deliver this level of work.

Scoop may not be a dynamic follow-up to Match Point, but it’s charming and sweet and enjoyable - a fun summer entertainment for anyone looking for mystery, romance, and laughs.