Review by Bryce Zabel
Both these films, written and directed by Woody Allen, deal with getting away with the murder of a mistress who's threatening to tell a man's wife. The main difference, frankly, is that Crimes and Misdemeanors uses the Woody Allen-character (played by Woody Allen) and a humorous sub-plot involving Alan Alda while Match Point has no comic relief and no Woody Allen. Actually, there are two more differences. Location: C&M takes place, as most Allen films, in New York City while MP takes place in London. Music: C&M uses Allen's familiar musical template while MP goes for opera and a foreboding score.
"When you look over my shoulder like that, sweetie, it just makes me want to kill someone."
Roger Ebert gave both these movies four stars and he was right to do so. Deciding that one is better than the other requires splitting some fine hairs. Crimes & Misdemeanors is the movie that puts the viewer in a position of wondering what he/she would do if confronted by similar circumstances. Match Point, in contrast, presents an entire film of characters who the viewer ought to feel morally superior to and simply asks us to sit back and watch the trouble they cause.
The winner?
Match Point. Because Allen's films had taken on a certain familiarity and this one takes the position that the only way you'll know it's a Woody Allen film is by reading the credits.
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