Coup de Chance

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After being delayed by the COVID pandemic, Woody Allen takes us on a jaunt through autumnal Paris in Coup de Chance, a tale of forbidden love, sudden windfalls, and the fickle hand of fate. Lou de Laâge shines as Fanny, a woman trapped in a gilded cage, married to a wealthy, domineering tycoon (Melvil Poupaud). Enter Alain (Niels Schneider), a charming, penniless writer who ignites a passionate spark in Fanny's seemingly dormant heart. A chance lottery ticket, bought on a whim, sets the stage for a whirlwind of intrigue and moral quandaries. Allen's signature wit is sprinkled throughout the film, most effective in the early scenes where Fanny's suffocating marriage is punctured by hilarious exchanges with her neurotic mother (played with scene-stealing verve by Valérie Lemercier). But as the plot tightens and the stakes rise, the laughs simmer down, replaced by a Hitchcockian suspense that's undeniably gripping. Here's the problem: while the premise is enticing, the execution stumbles in spots. The pacing occasionally meanders, leaving us wanting a bit more oomph from the central love affair. And while Allen masterfully builds tension, the resolution feels somewhat tepid, like a souffle that didn't quite rise. Despite its shortcomings, Coup de Chance boasts undeniable charm. The camerawork is a love letter to Paris, capturing the city's golden hues and melancholic beauty. The performances are uniformly excellent, with de Laâge and Poupaud delivering nuanced portrayals of characters caught in a moral maze. So, should you gamble on Coup de Chance? Well, it's not a jackpot, but it's not a dud either. Think of it as a crisp autumn walk-pleasant, thought-provoking, but maybe lacking the fireworks of a summer blockbuster. If you're a Woody Allen aficionado or enjoy stylish dramas with a touch of suspense, it's worth a peek. Just don't expect to win the cinematic lottery.

I really miss the typical humor of Woody Allen because of the language barrier. When I watch his movies, it's not just about comedy; it's like you can almost picture Woody Allen standing there, finding the humor in human mistakes and laughing along with us. "Coup de Chance" isn't a huge departure from his usual style, but it's more lively and enjoyable than his recent films. The cast is sharp and energetic, showing that he can direct well in French. Everyone looks like they're having a great time in this light-hearted comedy that unexpectedly takes a darker turn. Woody Allen tells a funny story in a simple way, mixing detective-style drama with city romance. The outcome is a clever and amusing spoof created in a laid-back manner.

I appreciate Woody Allen's movies. He always tells stories about common ordinary people to whom unpredictable things (but sometimes also usual) happen. This is the case in this movie where Fanny and Jean live a happy marriage, loving each other deeply till thr moment when Fanny unpredictably meets Alain. An old high school fellow starting a love relatiomship after a short friendship one. This turns out into drama even a violent one when Jean knows Fanny's infidelity and arranges a plan to get Alain secretly killed. When Fanny's mother suspects it and tries to investigate it, Jean also plans to kill her himself but ends up by being killed by mistake by a hunter in a forest. This is a well made movie in every aspect but the story is not particularly interesting.

I am mesmerized by the fact that my favorite director, Woody Allen, made such a film despite his old age. A film that, although it may not be as energetic, creative and exciting as his previous masterpieces, but it was made at the peak of maturity and shines on top of his brilliant career. I'm so glad for his fans. We know he could make a great movies in almost every genres but also we sure his best especially is human relationship and dark/bright comedy romances. Like Annie Hall (who could believe that work made in the year 1977) like Deconstructing Harry (20 damn years after Annie Hall) and so many works. We should stand up and clapping for this amazing artist.

I was waiting for the opportunity to see Woody Allen again. I am happy I did. «Coup de chance» is very much in line with what we are used to have from W. Allen, and yet there is something new, namely, the way the film underlines the conflict between self-control and the power of chance, between honesty and the drive for control, between intelligence and the demands of the heart. Woody Allen is a very skilled filmmaker, and yet you can see signs of repetitiveness. TO me, this was not a disturbance, but rather a confirmation of the Allen cinematographic stile. «Coup de chance» is very well constructed and the end is amazingly surprising. The way the movie ends is a lesson in itself. I enjoyed the movie and highly recommend it to others. I am more interested in the substance of the work than in its entertainment value. Either way, the viewer will not be deluded. Yet, the viewer is requested to further think once the movie is over. Like this, I would like to see more from Woody Allen. I hope I will!

Coup de chance Translates to Stroke of Luck My Rating 8:10 In Cinemas now Woody Allen's 50th feature movie and his first in a foreign language is a mixture of romance , a tale of infidelity , crime and jealousy plus a comment on the self entitlement of wealthy Corporate businessmen. Set in one of Woody Allen's favourite filming locations Paris and surrounding countryside and beautiful city parks this film unlike his 1995 classic romantic thriller Matchpoint has a lightness about it that is surprising considering where the narrative eventually leads us. It begins by painting a portrait of a seemingly blissfully married wealthy French couple Fanny a talented art dealer , viewed by the couple's associates as a beautiful trophy wife played delightfully Lou de Laâge . Fanny is married to Jean her proud and doting husband played by Melvil Poupaud and they live in a luxury Paris apartment. Fanny has a chance encounter on a Paris Street with a slightly bohemian author and her ex classmate Alain played by a handsome actor Niels Schneider. It's Paris city of romance so Fanny is intrigued by Alain's obvious attention and after a few innocent lunch dates the couple begin an affair .Long lunches in the park turn into love in the afternoon and eventually her husband Jean begins to suspect her infidelity. Jean's true character and shady business dealings become obvious exposing his possessive nature and jealously. That's enough background what happens next you must experience for yourself as the characters change drastically I particularly enjoyed the performance of Valérie Lemercier who steals a few scenes as Fanny's mother Camille . Woody Allen was originally going to shoot this film in New York with an American cast but with European financing being more available decided to give himself a 50th movie present and indulge himself . His said he was always crazy about the famous French Directors like Chabrol and Renais and Renoir and that he always wanted to be a French filmmaker. And of course, I couldn't be, because I was a New York filmmaker. I think he really achieves that goal with Coup de Chance I even suspect a little nod to another favourite director of Woody Allen Alfred Hitchcock who always made a brief cameo appearance in his movies. I've seen no reference so far but I'm 100%certain than Woody makes a disguised cameo appearance just like Hitch. Watch the scene where Fanny is pensively staring out a window considering her decision. A small group of people are walking along the path in her view and if that's not Woody Allen in back view then I'm Julie Andrews . I really enjoyed the cool retro jazz soundtrack that features in many of Woody Allen's movies plus the bright colour palette that reminded me a little of the great Spanish Director Pedro Almodóvar. I hope this is not the last movie we see from Woody Allen his contribution to quality cinema for over 50 years is often underestimated and unappreciated.

We were very lucky to attend an advance screening of Woody Allen's latest movie, "Coup de Chance" (Stroke of Luck) almost a whole month ahead of its Australian release. While it may not stand as his greatest work, the film is undeniably well-made and thoroughly entertaining. Set against the backdrop of Paris in the autumn, the cinematography captures the city's beauty, adding an extra layer of charm to the narrative. The film boasts decent acting performances, with the cast delivering their roles competently. However, it's hard to ignore the sense of déjà vu, especially if you've seen "Matchpoint." It's like Allen's taken a stroll down memory lane, rehashing some of his earlier ideas. While the familiarity may give a sense of nostalgia for longtime fans, it also left me yearning for something new from the seasoned filmmaker. Despite these echoes, "Coup de Chance" manages to create a compelling story, keeping the audience engaged with its well-paced plot and witty dialogue. In the end, Allen once again demonstrates his ability to craft an enjoyable cinematic experience, even if the shadows of his past successes loom in the background.

And I haven't watched some of his more recent work. Written and directed by Allen, it's very much a movie in the Fench tradition, the tradition of Chabrol and Truffaut: Hitchcock minus the suspense. That's a real shame because Allen has is a great director of suspense, he proved that with movies like Crimes and Misdemeanor, Manhattan Murder Mystery and Match Point. This does not come near those titles. Allen is a master filmmakers. I am a big fan of his. Hannah and Her Sisters, Annie Hall, The Purple Rose of Cairo and Crimes & Misdemeanors are all time greats. I just can't understand why he'd want to make something like this. Something this empty and tedious. What's the point?