Common Sense Media Review
Another comic murder mystery from Woody Allen.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Scoop
What's the Story?
After agreeing to step into a magic box during a performance by Sid -- aka the Great Splendini -- (Woody Allen), American journalism student, Sondra (Scarlett Johansson) gets a tip from the ghost of a late crime reporter named Joe (Ian McShane). Sondra decides to investigate, and attracts the suspect, an aristocrat named Peter (Hugh Jackman), by pretending to drown in a swimming pool. Within days, Sondra has fallen in love with Peter, and starts doubting the evidence she's been finding that points to his guilt. Her affair inspires Sid's jealousy, as a protective "paternal" figure. When he warns her that she shouldn't be pretending to be someone else -- namely, "Jade Spence" -- in order to solve the case and jumpstart her reporter's career, she observes dryly, "Your whole life is a deception. You're a magician."
Is It Any Good?
If this diverting yarn has a theme, deception might be it. Sondra deceives Peter, Sid deceives everyone except Sondra, and Peter might be deceiving both of them. "I don't like this whole thing," Sondra moans. "I don't like the whole process." As the movie considers how deception drives Joe, Sid, and Sondra -- not to mention the killer -- it also ponders processes of reading as well as performing, as these allow self-deception. And this sounds like an insight.
Angry when Sondra resists his version of the truth, Sid points out, "Even a great reporter can be wrong." Though it takes her a while, Sondra does learn to admit her mistakes. The men who surround her, however, never do.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the father-daughter relationship that develops between Sid and Sondra: How does he try to protect her and how does she resist his advice even as she solicits his help in pursuing her "scoop"? How does Peter look like the "perfect" boyfriend, and how is his appearance deceptive?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 28, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : November 21, 2006
- Cast : Hugh Jackman , Scarlett Johansson , Woody Allen
- Director : Woody Allen
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexual content.
- Last updated : October 1, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate