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Woody Allen, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Ian McShane, Charles Dance ... see more see more... , Romola Garai , Fenella Woolgar , Julian Glover , Victoria Hamilton , Margaret Tyzack

Both laughs and thrills are on the masthead in this comedy drama about a would-be reporter written and directed by Woody Allen. Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson) is an American journalism student wh... read more read more...o travels to England to visit friends. While in London, she attends a magic show where magician Sid "Splendini" Waterman (Woody Allen) brings her on-stage as part of a trick in which he makes her disappear. However, while waiting to be "de-materialized," she's visited by the ghost of a murdered reporter (Ian McShane), who passes along the scoop of the decade. The spirit claims that Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), the wealthy and handsome son of a well-known aristocrat, is leading a double life as "the Tarot Card Killer," a serial murderer who has been terrifying the nation and eluding police. With the magician's help, Jane begins investigating the story and is able to piece together some incriminating evidence against Lyman. However, the more she learns, the more dangerous her investigation becomes -- especially when she falls into a romance with the suspected killer. Scoop was Woody Allen's second consecutive film with leading lady Scarlett Johansson, after the critically acclaimed Match Point; it was also Allen's second feature to be shot in Great Britain. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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55% liked it

68,048 ratings

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39% liked it

138 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Woody Allen

Release Date: July 28, 2006

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DVD Release Date: November 21, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (4,602)

  • spielberg00
    March 31, 2012
    spielberg00
    Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Woody Allen. This is the eighth or ninth film I've seen from him. Everything from the fact that he has not directed a film without writing it as well (and vice versa) to his uniquely wry humor makes me always look for more of him. I've always... read more thought every one of his films was a hoot. But, of course, every great filmmaker has to have at least one disappointment. For Spielberg, that was HOOK. For Soderbergh, that was OCEAN'S TWELVE. For Oliver Stone, that was W. And for Mr. Woody Allen, he fails in his classic triple-threat role (writer-actor-director) with SCOOP. It's the writing that fails SCOOP, for the most part. Sure, there's the shoddy lead performance by Johansson, but the writing makes us wonder if Woody was in a narcissistic state of mind when he wrote this script. His character is the only one that delivers jokes, and there's a quote within the first fifteen minutes to prove it. It feels bad enough to give Woody a bad grade on a humor test, when he is usually a near-perfect student. It feels even worse to talk badly about his writing.

    http://themoviefreakblog.WordPress.com/2012/03/31/review-scoop
  • cosmo313
    October 9, 2011
    cosmo313
    Scoop is Woody Allen's second film with Scarlett Johansson, and it's a combo rom-com/murder mystery. It's also a nice little tribute to magic, something Allen has apparently had an interest in for quite some time. Oh eyah, and there's some supernatural elements too.

    The story c... read moreoncerns the awkward but beautiful American journalism student Sondra,who is studying in England,and through some odd circumstances, comes into contact with the spirit of a recently deceased journalist. He gives her details about a scoop concerning a rash of serial killings, and his new information (if correct) could really blow the whole thign wide open and bring her much acclaim. Intrigued, Sondra enlists the help of a fellow American, a third rate magician named Sid aka The Great Splendini, to see if the dead journalist's lead, a super wealthy high society playboy really is true.

    While investing their possible suspect, the usual stuff of drama and comedy, like falling in love happens, creating a complex mess of lies, shenanigans, and fun. I will admit that the film isn't all that original where the muder mystery is cincerned, and it pretty much ends how you think it will, but I didn't really mind it so much, because I found it very entertaining to watch Allen and Johansson go through the motions of playing detectives.

    It comes off, and I mean this with the highest amount of respect and sincerity, like a neurotic cross between Scooby Doo and typical Woody Allen. The film is very light and not really all that significant, but it's quote entertaining, very fun, and well played.

    Allen is typical Allen, and, even though he's no longer groundbreaking with his schtick, he's still endearing. Johansson is fun and plucky as Sondra, and I can see why she's been somewhat of a potential muse for Allen over the past decade. Huge Jackman is quite good as the suave playboy Peter, but for me, I really enjoyed seeing Ian McShane as the deceased journalist Joe Strombel. His interactions in the afterlife are a joy, and it's just fun seeing him trade banter with a writer like Woody.

    This is a nice little romp, but it's best looked at as a lazy afternoon watch sort of thing. It would probably help if you're a diehard of someone in the cast too. Being that I am, I found the film rather agreeable, even though I wouldn't have minded something more substantial. It's got good classical music typical of Woody's films, a few sequences that are, cinematically speaking, not bad, and of course Woody's typical humor and charm.

    All in all, it's okay, but like I said, you probably should only see this if you're really a completist or a die hard.
  • FilmFanatik
    June 27, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Woody Allen has yet to disappoint me, and also never failed to entertain me. Scoop is a bit of a different affair than one would normally be used to from his work, but that doesn't matter. What Allen does is create intriguing characters with intriguing situations, build a story a... read moreround it and make it all happen. Some might accuse this film of visiting very familiar territory, but not really Allen's. My very minor complaint is the beginning of the film, which isn't quite as strong as the rest of it. Other than that, I loved it. I especially loved seeing Ian McShane pop up in it, as well as Charles Dance, who I never see in anything these days. Woody Allen also has a habit of using well-known actors in very small parts, which people tend to criticize him for, but I just see it as a well-rounded cast wherein even the background characters look interesting. Maybe that's just me. Either way, this is a great little dark comedy and I highly recommend it.
  • 5oclockcoffee
    April 6, 2011
    5oclockcoffee

    I didnīt mean to write a review about Scoop, but after a Google search for something I canīt remember what was anymore, I came to a Marilyn Monroe photo that took me back to this film.

    First of all, Iīve seen Scoop more than twice a few years ago and I really... read more like it. Iīm sure I can watch it over and over again and it wonīt taste like na old rubber joke. Like Scarlett Johansson described it, Scoop's a good old-fashioned Woody Allen comedy and thatīs what I like about it. Perhaps Iīm a nostalgic lost case, but if movies like Match Point and Vicky Crsitina Barcelona donīt amaze me, Anything Else, Melinda and Melinda and Scoop, all critically non acclaimed, work on me like happiness pills.

    Scoop is not as great as Allenīs old comedies, but when Match Point doesnīt work compared to Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), Scoop does compared to Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). Johansson is not Diane Keaton, but her role as Sondra Pransky is not only good - like Jason Biggs does in Anything Else, she brings freshness to the screen as a younger and female version of Allenīs neurotic and comic manners - as pleases those that, like me, prefer Charlotte (Lost in Translation) or Rebecca (Ghost World) than the sex appeal persona. Although the sex appeal is still there. Coming from Allen who said that Johansson is unlike anyone who has come before her, and while she is a much stronger actress in every way, there is a tiny bit of Marilyn Monroe in her zaftig humidity, I suppose that the swimming pool scene where Sondra pretends to be drowing is a sort of homage to Monroe:




    *Is there a better song than Swan Lake, Op.20 Suite - 3. Danse des petits cygnes (in this movie played by Leon Spierer) to a comic murder mystery?
  • ythelastman89
    January 16, 2011
    ythelastman89
    I really was not impressed with this at all. The only good thing about this is Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson. Sadly, their presence is squandered by the dimming star known as Woody Allen. He hogs the screen every chance he gets with a character that no one cares about. Had ... read morethis truly centered on the relationship between Scarlett Jo and Australian Megaton Hugh Jackman, it would've been a great movie. Woody Allen should stay behind the scenes from now on.
  • FrizzDrop
    July 28, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Wonderfully Woody Allen, this film just doesn't get as much credit as it deserves. It's well thought out and diabolically funny, with hints of Johansson charm and Allen comedy fit to burst.
  • kiriyamakazou
    July 3, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    I've seen thousands of films, but never a Woody Allen film. I've seen Antz, but that's about it. I haven't been purposefully avoiding them, it's just kind of turned out that way. I'm well aware that many regard his latest efforts as sub-par compared with his classic work, but as ... read morea newcomer, this was very enjoyable and engaging stuff. Like a lighthearted Hitchcock, Allen weaves the murder mystery/romance plot with expert precision. There are some questionable moments, such as Allen casting himself in a thankless role which just allows him to improvise. I liked the returning from the dead idea, but appreciated it not being overused. There are some excellent small casting decisions, and the leads play it well. Jackman is never above suspicion, nor is he creepy and slimy. Not as funny as it often tries to be, but an entertaining watch.
  • lewiskendell
    February 3, 2010
    lewiskendell
    I loved Scarlett Johansson in Match Point and Vicky Christina Barcelona, but this just wasn't a good role for her. Actually, I think that this would have been a bad role for anyone. Allen seemed to be simply indulging himself here, and the lack of effort really shows.

    I'll admi... read moret that I laughed a few times at some of Woody's dialogue, but that hardly made up for this movies myriad flaws. None of the characters were the least bit likeable or relatable. Jackman lacked the charm and menace that his role required, and Johansson's character seemed annoying, thick and disingenuous, when the film appeared to want the viewer to see her as inquisitive and endearingly awkward. I know that both these actors can portray these qualities, because I've seen them do it before. This leaves me no choice but to once again place the blame on the lackluster writing and characterization.

    I'm struggling to find positive things to say, because I didn't exactly hate the movie...but all that comes to mind are negatives. The ghost angle was half-baked, the ending was as anti-climactic as they come, and I never imagined that the world of London's upper-crust (or serial killers) could be made to appear so boring and pedestrian. Scoop simply wasn't a very good movie.
  • ironclad1609
    December 23, 2009
    ironclad1609
    While I've never been a big fan of Woody Allen's comedies of the 70s and 80s, but to be fair didn't give them a lot of chances yet, his recent films do have a certain appeal. This is another one from his European phase, a very enjoyable mix of thriller and comedy. Johansson is wo... read morenderful as curious journalism student stumbling over a murder case the ghost of an investigative journalist pointed her to. Her chemistry with Allen, the magician helping her is excellent and the director throws out funny lines by the minute. Jackman is charming and stunning as always. While you think you got the story figured out after a while, things are not entirely as predictable as they seem. The funnest parts are Johansson and Allen arguing anyway. That makes for a very entertaining film, nothing spectacular but worth a watch.
  • LWOODS04
    August 30, 2009
    LWOODS04
    Scoop, was a good movie. It had some funny moments. I enjoyed Woody Allen's character. I thought he and Scarlett had good chemistry. Scarlett and Hugh and great chemistry as well. It was predictable. But still worth the watch.

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Critic Reviews

Stephanie Zacharek
October 7, 2006
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Nestled as it is amid the clamor of the late-summer blockbusters, it's the kind of small pleasure that can make you feel intensely grateful. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
August 9, 2006
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Woody -- enough with the one-liners. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
July 28, 2006
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

It's full of funny lines and clever inventions. Full Review

Roger Moore
July 28, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Scoop. It's a tired, thin, almost laughless reminder of the earlier Allen. Full Review

Peter Travers
July 28, 2006
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Scoop is no more than a beguiling trifle. But in the dog days of summer, it's a perk to wallow in inspired silliness.

Mick LaSalle
July 28, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Scoop has something Match Point didn't, something that none of Allen's films have had to quite this degree in 10 years. It's really, really funny. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
July 28, 2006
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

If only it were funny instead of just passably amusing, and if only Allen's movies hadn't declined to such a state of rote self-repetition that even passably amusing is tantamount to a compliment. Full Review

Claudia Puig
July 28, 2006
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Scoop is worthwhile viewing for Allen's quips. Just don't expect much of a story. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
July 28, 2006
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Modest and forgettable, it's Woody Lite. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
July 28, 2006
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Scoop, a half-baked amalgam of Manhattan Murder Mystery and Curse of the Jade Scorpion -- sadly demonstrates that Allen has lost much of his comic timing both as a director and an actor.

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Scoop Trivia

  • In Scoop what does Sondra tell her name is?  Answer »
  • In the movie Scoop, Woody Allen's character says that he was born in the Hebrew persuasion but converted to what?  Answer »
  • What movie was this tagline for? "The perfect man. The perfect story. The perfect murder."  Answer »
  • After working with Scarlett Johansson on the film "Match Point", Woody Allen wrote a part in his film "Scoop" specifically for her.  Answer »
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