PG-13 | 1h 36m | Drama, Romance, Mystery, Thriller | 2024
In 2005, Woody Allen gave us the London-based “Match Point,” his first feature not set in or filmed in his established comfort zone of New York City. Three years later came “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (Spain), then “Midnight in Paris” in 2011 (France), and finally the 2013 “Blue Jasmine” (San Francisco).
Not only are these movies among the best Mr. Allen has ever made, they’re also the only ones from this century that are worth watching. It would appear that every time Mr. Allen chooses new geographical surroundings, his creative juices become rejuvenated and he returns to his 1970s and ‘80s glory days.
For “Coup de Chance,” his 50th feature in 58 years, Mr. Allen returns to France and once again strikes cinematic gold. It is his first movie fully presented in a language other than English; even the credits are in French. Although set in the modern day, it is a clear homage to French New Wave masters Jean-Luc Godard, Éric Rohmer, François Truffaut, Claude Chabrol, and Jacques Rivette.
Stroke of Luck
The English translation of the title is “Stroke of Luck,” which could have easily been the title of “Match Point.” There are many other similarities between these two movies, including but not limited to themes of adultery, murder, avarice, unchecked ego, and the obscenely extravagant lifestyles of the idle rich.The movie opens with the 30-something Fanny (Lou de Laâge) being recognized on the street by Alain (Niels Schneider), a guy she knew in high school. They exchange “good to see you” pleasantries, and he makes it abundantly clear that the crush he had on her years ago has not subsided, which she receives with classy, not quite demurred deflection. Fanny relishes the attention but makes it clear that she’s married to Jean (Melvil Poupaud), a successful investor and currency trader many years her senior.
Recalling past French legends such as Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve, as well as the currently active Léa Seydoux, Ms. de Laâge possesses the same sophisticated, mysterious air, and closely physically resembles Americans Rachel McAdams and the newest “It” girl, Sydney Sweeney.
Too Early a Twist?
Unlike “Match Point,” which waited until the start of the third act to unspool its major twist, “Coup de Chance” does so at the halfway point. This isn’t to say that other surprises won’t follow, but showing his trump card so early presents a considerable challenge to Mr. Allen, and it could be difficult to adequately sustain and even easier to flub.Any early worry of a detrimental premature reveal is negated by the fact that Mr. Allen, a 16-time Oscar nominee for screenwriting and three-time winner in the Best Original Screenplay category (“Annie Hall,” “Hannah and Her Sisters,” and “Midnight in Paris”), more than knows how to spin a yarn.
Mr. Allen’s secret weapon here comes in the form of Camille (Valérie Lemercier), Fanny’s mother, who shows up relatively late and, surprisingly, is not her daughter’s biggest cheerleader. Camille, by her own admission, has some well-earned miles on her. She gently presses Fanny into stepping back, regrouping, and reconsidering her options, but not so much in a dollars-and-cents or a matters-of-the-heart manner.
It’s the Music
As is the case with all of Mr. Allen’s past movies, music is a de facto character here. Although sometimes via original scores, the majority of his choices have been with older period source material, especially 20th-century American and European classical music and opera. (The latter in “Match Point” is a perfect example.)In a nod to both the French New Wave and American New Wave of the 1970s, Mr. Allen chose a handful of extended period instrumental pieces that offer ideal accompaniment. I’ll go out on a limb and state that the story could have been set in the ‘70s instead of the current day, which, with some costume alterations, would have been entirely plausible.
Just when I think Mr. Allen has run out of creative steam, he comes up with the brilliant “Coup de Chance” and rightfully puts me in my place. I hope he continues to do so for as long as he sees fit.
