Scoop [PG]

American journalism student Sondra Pransky, whilst visiting friends in London, gets “volunteered” during a stage performance by touring magician Sid Waterman and is contacted from beyond the grave by famous UK journalist, Joe Strombel. Strombel tells Sondra that he knows the identity of the famous Tarot Card Killer, a serial killer who has been stalking London prostitutes. Enlisting the reluctant help of Sid, Sondra starts chasing the story, and it leads to the very charming and handsome aristocrat, Peter Lyman. Falling head over heels for Peter, Sondra soon learns that the perfect romance could be the scoop she’s after. 


From memory, this movie was advertised for quite some time, but then it didn’t do too well in the cinemas, lasting for something like a fortnight. It was quick to come out on DVD and I have seen it twice prior to tonight, but for the life of me, I could not remember anything about it. Watching it a third time, I not only actually figured out the story, but even enjoyed the film, although it does need to be said that it’s not really anything to rave about. 


American journalism student Sondra Pransky, whilst visiting friends in London, gets” volunteered” during a stage performance by touring magician Sid Waterman and is contacted from beyond the grave by deceased UK journalist, Joe Strombel. Strombel tells Sondra that he knows the identity of the Tarot Card Killer, a serial killer who is stalking London prostitutes. Enlisting the reluctant help of Sid, Sondra eagerly chases the story, finding that it leads to the charming and handsome aristocrat, Peter Lyman. Falling head over heels in love with Peter, Sondra soon discovers that the perfect romance could also be the scoop she’s after. 


I think there were two things that made this film stumble and trip. 
1) Although it’s actually a very clever and quirky little story, everything happened really quickly and there was little or no explanation as to what was happening. Admittedly, you can easily piece it together, but that’s not the point. 
2) With murder being the central drama, you would imagine that there might be a nice hint of suspense and sinisterness to the whole thing, but there wasn’t. I feel that the film was addressing the idea of serial murders too lightly (possibly just to keep the film PG), and for some reason it didn’t really work for me. 
Starring Scarlett Johansson; who was delightful even though she adapted a few of Woody Allen’s mannerisms, Hugh Jackman; who was irresistibly charming, Woody Allen, and Ian McShane, Scoop is a quirky and light little film that’s by no means a bad film, but it’s not brilliant either. Filled with murder, charm, wit, romance, and comedy, I don’t think I’d add it to the collection, but I still didn’t mind it third time around.