Travis Simpkins

Match Point (2005): Woody Allen and Scarlett Johansson

Many viewed the powerful drama-thriller Match Point (2005) as Woody Allen's triumphant return as one of the preeminent auteurs of the Film Industry. Even Allen, himself, admitted that he felt Match Point was one of the best dramatic films he has ever made. The production was a result of a series of accidents and sidesteps. Originally set in New York, Allen couldn't get the needed financing, and accepted an offer to shoot it in the United Kingdom. This required a hasty re-write of the entire script, as the locations and dialogue needed sharp readjustment to suit the new locale. Further disruption came when Kate Winslet, who was to play one of the main roles, quit only a week before filming was to begin. Scarlett Johansson accepted the part on short notice, but the script had to be revised again, as the character was now an American. These happy accidents on Match Point formed a creative bond, of artist and Muse, between Woody Allen and Scarlett Johansson and led to other collaborations. Scarlett Johansson is indeed the "Star" of the film, with her sensuous beauty perfectly captured in vibrant cinematography and Woody Allen's unique vision.

Opportunistic former tennis-pro Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has seemingly found everything he wants in Chloe Hewitt (Emily Mortimer). She is beautiful, has good connections and most importantly... she is wealthy. They marry. Chris feels he couldn't meet anyone lovelier...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen

That is, of course, until he meets Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson). He wants her. There's just one little problem...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

Nola is the fiancé of Chloe's brother, and Chris' friend, Tom Hewitt (Matthew Goode)...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

After Nola has an argument with Tom's controlling mother, Chris races off to console her...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

When Tom breaks up with Nola later on, she and Chris begin a passionate affair...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

Chris is falling in love with Nola...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

she gets pregnant, but refuses to get an abortion...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

and when she threatens to tell his wife, Chloe, about their affair and derail his privileged, wealthy life...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

Chris decides to take tragically drastic action...

Match Point. 2005. Woody Allen

Annie Hall (1977): Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

In a rare success, Woody Allen's film, Annie Hall, nearly swept the Academy Awards in 1977. A cinematic masterpiece by most any standard, the film is pitch perfect from beginning to end... it is tragic, funny, scary, uproarious, intelligent, sarcastic and true. The script was expertly written and the cinematography techniques were innovative (including an animated scene). Woody Allen and his co-star, Diane Keaton (whose real name was Diane Hall) had been in a real life romantic relationship that didn't work out. Allen ingeniously took those emotions and filtered them outwardly, creating both a brilliant and beautiful film, and forming a long-lasting professional relationship with Keaton in the process.

Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) is a failure at love. After a few marriages and countless dates, he still finds himself looking for the one. When he meets Annie Hall (Diane Keaton), he's certain this will be different. It should've worked out, but didn't. Now, Allen walks us through the relationship to try to figure out what went wrong (Allen is directly addressing the viewer at times), and we all learn a lot along the way...

Annie Hall. 1977. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

Together they formed an unlikely pair...

Annie Hall. 1977. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

Love, hilarity and countless classic moments ensue...

Annie Hall. 1977. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

Annie Hall. 1977. Woody Allen

Genius!

Annie Hall. 1977. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

New York Stories (1989): Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola

New York Stories (1989) is comprised of three short films by directorial titans Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Woody Allen. Martin Scorsese presents Life Lessons, about an abstract painter's troubled relations with his sexy studio assistant. Francis Ford Coppola gives us Life Without Zoe, about a young girl left to live in a hotel while her busy parents travel. Woody Allen presents Oedipus Wrecks, about a man and his overbearing mother, who gets transported to another dimension during a magic show. All the films are great. The acting is excellent, including Nick Nolte, Rosanna Arquette, Larry David, Steve Buscemi, Woody Allen, Giancarlo Giannini, Talia Shire and Mia Farrow.