Scooping Scarlett

Scarlett Johansson is an interesting case. First she was a recalcitrant amputee in the Horse Whisperer. Then she blossomed Lindsay Lohan style and there were, voila, breasts. In the island she was beautiful, and did a great job as an actress. She, like Kim Basinger and others, does well when there is a meaty part and script for her. That makes her a character actress, when there is a character to play. My guess is Woody Allen is doinging her, or at least he is trying to. In either case they seemed to have worked up a nice working relationship after she filled in in Matchpoint at the last minute. That is two Woody Allen movies in a year with Ms. Scarlett. That's a lot. He wrote a nice part for himself in Scoop. (a wacky magician performing in London) Overall I enjoyed the film. I didn't have to witness the brutal shotgun murder of a landlady at the end. Instead I got to see Scarlett dupe Hugh Jackman in wet, black clothing. That was not as appealing an image as Scarlett in her red, one piece, but it certainly was nicer than a gruesome murder. The setting and tone of Scoop and Matchpoint were similar. They were about British aristocracy, somewhat. What is Woody's fascination with this upper class English class? Well, London is beautiful and like many other imported films the garden and countryside footage is serene and peaceful. It makes for a nice change from stark, urban reality TV in America. Is Woody living over there now? I thought for a moment I was going to have to watch spoiled rich people behave badly, but luckily it turned out to be more of a teleplay between him and Scarlett. What better thing can an old man hope for? Write a screenplay and a part for a beautiful young woman you get to play across. What was interesting was the quest for a character for Scarlett to play. First it was the frumpy academic. That was a stark contrast to her 'tart' actress part in Matchpoint. I must say, old chap, it was more appealing. The girl next door you see, and it seemed to work for Jackman as well. He was smitten with her. It is funny how sex for her now is common place, while in Matchpoint she was faced with the pretty ferocious and depraved sexual proclivities of a young murderer. Tougher part, especially for a budding young woman now carrying the 'weight' of womanhood. This character interestingly enough had "Lolitaisms." I don't think it was a fluke either. Woody and/or she were toying with character. It seems many young women actresses are taken with the "Lolita" image after they see the Adrian Lyne remake. Well after all it is art. Dominique Swain and Jeremy Irons' performances are both Oscar worthy. It was unfortunate the 'questionable' subject matter made that film sleep. It will stand the test of time, and slowly but surely it is influencing mainstream cinema as it should. Dominique should have won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Lolita, or at least she and Mr. Lyne should reap the credit for having created such a voluptuously innocent character. Nabakov may have thunk it, but they created it on screen for all to enjoy. Scarlett's spectacles and retainer were simply Lo in the morning, pale and polluted with another man's child. Still enticing for Irons. What is true love? That. This film was not as good, but give Ms. Johansson more and better roles and maybe she will blossom into the Marilyn America desperately needs now!