#stroke of luck

Coup de Chance is Woody Allen's latest film, and one of his best in recent years, reminding some of his masterful Match Point but also Crimes and Misdemeanours in that this isn't a pure comedy but has a darker criminal aspect at its centre. Its theme, though, is about luck and what an important part it plays in people's lives. Allen has always been a great writer. And we're lucky that in his late 80s, he's still putting out such interesting films, year after year, even though some in Hollywood are determined to "cancel" him out of existence. Like classic Greek dramatists and Shakespeare, Allen is a master in telling simple tales about humanity and how fragile our existence is, teaching its heroes lessons with all the sufferings he puts them through, reversing their fates and having a laugh at their ignorance. Coup de Chance has all that, plus romantic park walks in Paris, an ironic look at the French bourgeoisie and jazz music playing throughout. All are delivered in French by an excellent cast and photographed in crisp and colourful digital cinematography by the great Vittorio Storaro. What more could you ask but for the film to be released worldwide soon!

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