Given the steady output of movies we might as well forgive Woody Allen for making some that are sub-par. Given the rumors that circulated during filming of Match Point and Scoop about the romantic relationship between himself and Scarlett Johansson i'm even more inclined to forgive him.Jokes apart, Scoop is not a bad movie yet offers nothing new or exceptionally good. It seems to be built upon the leftovers of Match Point and the desire to film scantly clad Scarlett Johansson.As it usually is the case, if you like Woody Allen's movies, you'd probably like this one. Otherwise, this is the movie that you can pass on without guilty conscience.

An American journalism student (Scarlett Johansson) in London scoops a big story, and begins an affair with an aristocrat (Hugh Jackman) as the incident unfurls.I like to see Woody Allen as actor and director. You know, he started out like that and his best films have his as the neurotic lead. While he is only the sidekick here, it is a joy to see the man in action.Somehow this film got overlooked. Maybe because it was another magic film in a year loaded with good magic films ("The Prestige" and "The Illusionist"), but this is a special sort of story. Not too complicated, not too simple. Just enough ingenuity to really carve out its place as a good tale.

Admittedly on first viewing I didn't care for Scoop, finding it weirdly plotted and not very funny. Seeing it again as part of a Woody Allen film marathon and being much more used to his style(that I wasn't at the time on first viewing must have a lot to do with not caring for it in the first place), Scoop was far better than initially remembered. It is a long way from Allen's best films, see Annie Hall, Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanours, Hannah and her Sisters and Husbands and Wives to see him at his best, but it is better than Cassandra's Dream and To Rome with Love. Scoop is not without imperfections, the story is very far-fetched at times with some convolutions and scenes that don't add to very much, Hugh Jackman is very underused and Scarlett Johansson looks uncomfortable, she's much better in Match Point. Scoop is photographed with style and atmosphere and there is great use of locations. The classical music score is a good fit and will be a delight for any classical music fan, while Allen's directing is as adroit as ever. Allen's writing has been much more insightful and thought-provoking, but the script is still very clever and funny(and in distinctive Woody Allen style), Allen and Ian McShane have the best lines, and while the story is not completely successful the blend of comedy and mystery has enough moments where it works(it has been done far better before though, notably Crimes and Misdemeanours). Allen is hilarious and witty- knowing exactly how to say and time his lines- though with a character that had a danger of falling into the trap of mugging. Ian McShane is wonderfully mysterious and says his lines, and as said before he has the best of them alongside Allen, in a sardonically sly fashion, you just wish he had more screen time. And while Hugh Jackman is underused when you do see him he is dashing and charismatic. All in all, it is easy to see why people won't like Scoop, initially I didn't but on re-watch while problematic it was much better than expected considering the rep it has among a fair few people that consider it as one of Allen's worst. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I've heard a lot of hate about this movie over the years and can't quite figure out why. Scoop may not be Woody Allen's greatest movie, nor his most intellectual, but does it have to be in order to be recognised as decent at least? Scoop had a lot of the witticisms that Woody is famous for, it had his usual good humour, and even features him as one of the actors playing that bumbling, nervous wreck once again. Yes, it's silly, but so what! It's great fun and isn't half as bad as some of his truly horrible films were.Perhaps the film-making aspects of the film were not too good. It had average acting, at best, the plot wasn't exactly one to save his career after a string of horrible movies, and the direction is little to rave about. I can understand why some may dislike this film, but to down right trash it? This is not Woody's worst film. Let's be honest, we've seen him do a lot worse. It's a decent film at least.