Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jonathan Rhys Meyers | ... | Chris Wilton | |
Alexander Armstrong | ... | Mr. Townsend | |
Paul Kaye | ... | Estate Agent | |
Matthew Goode | ... | Tom Hewett | |
Brian Cox | ... | Alec Hewett | |
Penelope Wilton | ... | Eleanor Hewett | |
Emily Mortimer | ... | Chloe Hewett Wilton | |
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Janis Kelly | ... | 'La Traviata' Performers |
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Alan Oke | ... | 'La Traviata' Performers |
Mark Gatiss | ... | Ping-Pong Player | |
Scarlett Johansson | ... | Nola Rice | |
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Philip Mansfield | ... | Waiter |
Simon Kunz | ... | Rod Carver | |
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Geoffrey Streatfeild | ... | Alan Sinclair |
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Mary Hegarty | ... | 'Rigoletto' Performer |
From a humble background and with traditional values, Irish Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is still struggling financially despite being a recently retired high ranked tennis pro. He has taken a job as a tennis instructor at an upscale London tennis club, although he knows there is a better life for him somewhere down the road. He is befriended by one of his students, wealthy Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode). Chris starts to date Tom's sister, Chloe Hewett (Emily Mortimer), a girl-next-door type who is immediately attracted to Chris. Chloe quickly knows she wants to marry Chris, and through her businessman father, Alec Hewett (Brian Cox), tries to help Chris and their future by getting him an executive job in Alec's company. In his life with the Hewetts, Chris begins to enjoy the finer things in life. Through it all however, Chris cannot help thinking about Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), a struggling American actress who he meets at the Hewett estate and who is Tom's unofficial ... Written by Huggo
This film at first doesn't seem like a typical Woody Allen film but at the end you know it's one and why. While the story and theme is familiar, Mr Allen brings new perspective and avoids clichés. He goes to the themes he explored in "Crimes and Misdemeanors" but without the Ingmar Bergman homage. Instead it's more fun and exciting to watch. I guess the young hot cast and new location doesn't seem like the usual Woody Allen film, even though he used young hot talents before. This one belongs to his best films which is good news to his fans. The cast is excellent but the supporting cast outshines the leads somehow. Matthew Goode made a strong impression and sure to become a star in the near future. I'm glad Woody Allen changed locations and used some of the best British actors for a change. I guess people who will read this comment, will already know about the plot, so I will avoid it. I watched the film at Cannes where it was well received by critics and the audience.