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College journalism major Sondra
Pransky (Scarlett Johansson) decides to come up with a scoop for her school paper while she is on holiday in London.
Her first attempt to interview a popular movie star fails. Then the next day while taking part as a volunteer in the magic show of Sid Waterman (Woody Allen), something happens. While shut up in a box, for a disappearing--appearing act, the ghost of the well-known late Joe Strombel (Ian McShane) appears beside her. He offers her a sensational scoop: who the serial killer presently stalking London is, Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), son of Lord Lyman, rich, debonair and a perfect gentleman. Having also seen and heard the ghostly Strombel, Sid agrees to help Sondra get to meet Peter Lyman by pretending to be father and daughter. As they begin to know him better through their social interaction and sleuthing Sid is sure that Peter is the Tarot Card killer, but Sondra is definite that the man she is falling in love with could never be the killer.
Scoop has a storyline that interestingly combines such characters as a young school senior, a ghost that wants a case solved, an old magician who decides to help the student and a serial killer who does not look nor act as one. The unreeling of the story however, leaves somethings to be desired. The main observation is that the movie is dialog-driven, with long arguments between Sondra and Sid about Peter. Still, one thing that keeps the viewers' attention is whether he is or isn't the serial killer. Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson were convincing as the perfect gentleman and as the lively and naïve chatterbox respectively. The funny parts and lines did not produce the expected laughs, especially for the local audience. The dialogue comes too fast and too long. This is not one of Director Woody Allen's better movies.
Scoop is about solving a murder case. The one given to solve it is a young lady student, who has no experience solving crimes. It does not make sense that she should be put into such a dangerous situation. If there is something funny (comedic) about this, it did not come through. And then she falls in love with him, which increases her being in danger. Investigative Journalism is necessary at times to bring out the truth and bring about justice. To get at the truth the following take place: sexual activity, telling lies and other forms of deceit. Now, the question is asked: Should a journalist allow herself (himself) to go that far to find the truth? What are the legal and moral boundaries to be observed?
(Date Reviewed: 15 September 2006)
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