A scoop from beyond

by LES EVERETT

AFTER a lifetime immersed in New York City and its stories Woody Allen has recently turned his gaze to England. Last year it was for the dark and cracking 'Match Point' - now he's returned, again hand-in-hand with Scarlett Johansson, in the much lighter 'Scoop'.

Johansson plays Sondra Pransky a college journalism student in London for a holiday and a promised interview with an esteemed movie director.

Allen is Sid Waterman a magician. Of course Sondra attends one of Sid's performances and is enticed onto the stage as an audience participant. The audience sees her disappear and reappear as part of Sid's act but what they don't see is her confrontation with not-long-dead reporter Joe Stombel (Ian McShane) who provides Sondra with a real scoop - the identity of a serial killer terrorising London.

Sid and Sondra join forces to get close to the alleged killer Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman) - who just as Jack the Ripper might have been - is a member of the upper crust being groomed for great things.

What follows is a very enjoyable romp. You couldn't really call it a whodunnit but it does unravel quite neatly in the end in the style of a certain type of murder mystery. However, this is a Woody Allen movie, so it doesn't end up well for everyone.

Allen's one-liners would warrant a second viewing while his vision of part of the after-life is revealing.

It's also worth pointing out as the World Swimming Championships splash into action that 'Scoop' could be seen as an excellent endorsement of swimming lessons.

19 March 2007

australianrules.com.au

s johansson

Scarlett Johnansson and Hugh Jackman in 'Scoop'. The swimsuit was, believe it or not, marked down.

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