Un colpo di fortuna - Coup de Chance

Coup de chance is another masterpiece by Woody, the master of cinema. The cast (Lou de Laâge, Melvin Poupaud, Niels Schneider, and Valérie Lemercier) is absolutely great, the script (Woody) is brilliant, the cinematography (Vittorio Storaro) is gorgeous, and the direction (Woody) is, as always, impecable. This is a movie about love, betrayal, control, and luck. Amazingly written and beautifully shot. A masterpiece (in French) with a flavour of the great French cinema from last century (Truffaut, Lelouch, Godard), with a bit of Hitchcock (you can actually spot a Hitchcock book lying on a shelf in one scene), and with a wonderful soundtrack (jazz from the 60s: Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" and Nat Adderley). No explosions, plastic people or a 200MM budget; just absolutely pure excellent cinema. Bravo, Woody. You are the best! 10/10.

I really miss the typical humor of Woody Allen because of the language barrier. When I watch his movies, it's not just about comedy; it's like you can almost picture Woody Allen standing there, finding the humor in human mistakes and laughing along with us. "Coup de Chance" isn't a huge departure from his usual style, but it's more lively and enjoyable than his recent films. The cast is sharp and energetic, showing that he can direct well in French. Everyone looks like they're having a great time in this light-hearted comedy that unexpectedly takes a darker turn. Woody Allen tells a funny story in a simple way, mixing detective-style drama with city romance. The outcome is a clever and amusing spoof created in a laid-back manner.

Bored young trophy wife Fanny is happily married (so she thinks) to the soporific, possessive, but wealthy businessman Jean, her second husband who spoils her like a princess as they live the high life in uptown Paris. By chance she runs into old school friend Alain, a divorced writer who, by his own admission, has always carried a torch for her. Things begin innocently enough, but her eventual infidelity calls into question her fulfillment with Jean. The fiftieth yet first official foreign language film from Woody Allen has a storyline that's pretty basic, but slightly elevated by some interesting characters, a fresh-faced cast of French actors, and of course some wonderful scenery, but even with the shock value the finale still isn't very satisfying. **½

With "Cantaloupe Island", by Herbie Hancock, as background music, and the wonderful photography by Vittorio Storaro, Woody Allen pays homage to French filmmakers of the 1950s and 1960s, such as Claude Chabrol, Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut, in his latest film COUP DE CHANCE (2023). As the title indicates, 15 films after MATCH POINT (2005), Woody Allen returns to exploring the theme of luck and chance, now giving us the reverse of the coin.

COUP DE CHANCE (2023) is based on the premise that even the most fortuitous events can have profound and lasting consequences, showing how the characters' lives are shaped by a series of coincidences and unforeseen events.

Ironically, the only character who thinks he is making his own luck ends up succumbing to the whims of fate, becoming a victim of luck, or the lack of it, and his own Machiavellian design, which leads us to ponder the illusory nature of total control of our lives.

When comparing COUP DE CHANCE with MATCH POINT, we can observe an interesting dialogue between the two. If in MATCH POINT, we see a character who escapes justice due to a twist of fate, in COUP DE CHANCE this theme is inverted, presenting a character who believes he has everything under control, not counting on external elements that may eventually influence in his plans. This inversion offers an intriguing perspective on how luck and chance can condition the course of events, regardless of each character's beliefs or actions.

Thus, by presenting a subversion in relation to MATCH POINT, COUP DE CHANCE broadens the viewer's understanding of the role of luck and chance in our lives, and invites us to reflect on the complexity and unpredictability of human destiny. This time, the tennis ball lands on the less favorable side of the net.

We were very lucky to attend an advance screening of Woody Allen's latest movie, "Coup de Chance" (Stroke of Luck) almost a whole month ahead of its Australian release. While it may not stand as his greatest work, the film is undeniably well-made and thoroughly entertaining. Set against the backdrop of Paris in the autumn, the cinematography captures the city's beauty, adding an extra layer of charm to the narrative.

The film boasts decent acting performances, with the cast delivering their roles competently. However, it's hard to ignore the sense of déjà vu, especially if you've seen "Matchpoint." It's like Allen's taken a stroll down memory lane, rehashing some of his earlier ideas. While the familiarity may give a sense of nostalgia for longtime fans, it also left me yearning for something new from the seasoned filmmaker. Despite these echoes, "Coup de Chance" manages to create a compelling story, keeping the audience engaged with its well-paced plot and witty dialogue. In the end, Allen once again demonstrates his ability to craft an enjoyable cinematic experience, even if the shadows of his past successes loom in the background.