Scoop Photo

Scoop

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Ian McShane, Hugh Jackman, Woody Allen, Jim Dunk

Directed by: Woody Allen

RS: 3of 4 Stars Average User Rating: 3of 4 Stars

2006 Focus Features Crime

London gave core-deep Manhattanite Woody Allen an invigorating shot of creative energy in last year's Match Point, a murder mystery of surprising moral gravity. Woody stayed on among the Brits to write and direct Scoop, also a murder mystery and also starring the delectable Scarlett Johansson, but otherwise a different shmear of cheese. And cheese is the operative word, at least regarding Woody's comic role as Sid Waterman, a geezer from Brooklyn doing his tacky magic act in London under the name Splendini. One night he plucks a volunteer from his audience to assist in a trick that has her enter a box and dematerialize. She's Sondra Pransky (Johansson), an American journalism student who Sid keeps calling Mandelbaum. "Listen, sweetheart," says Sid, "we all celebrate the same holidays." Them's the jokes. But it's no joke when Sondra climbs in the box and meets a ghost. He's Joe Strombel (Deadwood's Ian McShane), a journalist who has escaped a boat ride with Death to give her a scoop: Joe is convinced that Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), the son of a lord, is the "Tarot Card Serial Killer," and if Sondra nails him, the story will make her career.

The farce plays like something out of a time capsule, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. And I mean that sincerely, as Sid would say. While Sid helps Sondra catch the killer, Woody evokes the ghosts of borscht-belt jokes he's already recycled in films from Love and Death to Broadway Danny Rose. He also throws in a little Dreiser for ethical balance.

Somehow it works. Don't worry. Woody, 70, doesn't get the girl. Scarlett Jo, a potent combo of zaftig and zany, and Jackman, oozing killer charm, handle the sexual high jinks in style. The skilled cinematographer Remi Adefarasin casts a seductive glow on the sight of the rich enjoying their wicked privileges. Scoop is no more than a beguiling trifle. But in the dog days of summer, it's a perk to wallow in inspired silliness.

PETER TRAVERS

(Posted: Jul 20, 2006)

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Scoop

Review 1 of 5

1of 4 Stars

Another DOG movie! It is like a modern Ed Wood movie.Totally predictable, bad script and it is far from convincing.Wasted $12 to see this stinker!

Feb 5, 2007 14:34:09

Review 2 of 5

3of 4 Stars

I enjoyed Scoop because it was odd and silly. It was very old school and there is something to the way things used to be done. As in the Thin Man, what you care about are the detectives, and the gentle and sweet relationship that springs between Woody and Scarlet was fun and silly. The important thing to remember is that this is a farce, a concept that can be lost in the present time.

Aug 14, 2006 00:34:48

Review 3 of 5

1of 4 Stars

The thought of this movie receiving any stars is inconceivable, but alas I must comlpy with RS's rating scale. I won't drag out this review, but this movie is just terribly unfunny at best. The plot I will not ruin, but just know that it's not much of a mystery because only three characters get any sort of development, so it's pretty odvious by the first 30 minutes or so. Woody Allen fans will also be greatly dissapointed that their legendary film-maker put out such a piece of garbage.

Aug 12, 2006 13:43:45

Review 4 of 5

3of 4 Stars

If you don't mind Woody Allen the actor, you will like this movie. It is cleverly written and does not drag. Scarlett Johansson is effective as a student who wants to be a reporter. While this is not on my top five Woody Allen films, I believe it is well worth watching.

Aug 6, 2006 19:50:34

Review 5 of 5

3of 4 Stars

The audience loved it, so did I. How Woody. at 70, pulls off chemistry with Scarlett Johansson is amazing. She's got it. The whole package and funny too! Some critics think his "credit to your race" joke wore thin, but they were wrong.
Some people don't get Woody I guess, but the rest of us are glad he discovered London and maybe he get's credit for Scarlett too, because
so far he's 2-0, and her star should rise, big time! keep em coming, Woody, and we'll keep going!

Jul 29, 2006 00:03:27

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