Barnes & Noble

Woody Allen’s second London-made film with muse Scarlett Johansson isn’t quite the equal of its predecessor, Match Point, but Scoop makes up in knockabout humor what it lacks in intricacy and sophistication. The ever-adorable Miss Scarlett plays American journalism student Sondra Pransky, enlisted by the ghost of a recently departed reporter (Ian McShane) to break a sensational story. Sondra confides in a fellow American, small-time magician Sid Waterman (Allen), who reluctantly assists her in investigating the case of a murdered prostitute. Costar Hugh Jackman effortlessly carries the film with his seamless performance as the charming and likable scion of a wealthy family who may well be the killer. For sheer star power, though, Johansson matches him. Her relaxed and playfully alluring performance, as well as her bouncy scenes with a characteristically neurotic Woody, reflect her ever-sharpening comic timing. At its best, their easy rapport brings the celebrated Woody-Diane Keaton interplay to mind, and that’s good news for any future Allen-Johansson projects. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Both laughs and thrills are on the masthead in this comedy drama about a would-be reporter written and directed by Woody Allen. Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson) is an American journalism student who travels to England to visit friends. While in London, she attends a magic show where magician Sid "Splendini" Waterman (Woody Allen) brings her on-stage as part of a trick in which he makes her disappear. However, while waiting to be "de-materialized," she's visited by the ghost of a murdered reporter (Ian McShane), who passes along the scoop of the decade. The spirit claims that Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), the wealthy and handsome son of a well-known aristocrat, is leading a double life as "the Tarot Card Killer," a serial murderer who has been terrifying the nation and eluding police. With the magician's help, Jane begins investigating the story and is able to piece together some incriminating evidence against Lyman. However, the more she learns, the more dangerous her investigation becomes -- especially when she falls into a romance with the suspected killer. Scoop was Woody Allen's second consecutive film with leading lady Scarlett Johansson, after the critically acclaimed Match Point; it was also Allen's second feature to be shot in Great Britain. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 9339065002164
• Source: ICON
• Language: English
• Time: 1:36:00
• Sales Rank: 21,115