An American journalism student in London scoops a big story, and begins an affair with an aristocrat as the incident unfurls.

Credits: TheMovieDb.

Film Cast:

• Sondra Pransky: Scarlett Johansson
• Sid Waterman: Woody Allen
• Peter Lyman: Hugh Jackman
• Joe Strombel: Ian McShane
• Mr. Malcolm: Charles Dance
• Vivian: Romola Garai
• Mike Tinsley: Kevin McNally
• Funeral Speaker: Jim Dunk
• Strombel’s Co-Worker: Robert Bathurst
• Strombel’s Co-Worker: Geoff Bell
• Strombel’s Co-Worker: Christopher Fulford
• Strombel’s Co-Worker: Nigel Lindsay
• Jane Cook: Fenella Woolgar
• Death: Pete Mastin
• Joe’s Co-Passenger: Doreen Mantle
• Joe’s Co-Passenger: David Schneider
• Joe’s Co-Passenger: Meera Syal
• Tinsley’s Fan: Robyn Kerr
• Vivian’s Mother: Carolyn Backhouse
• Jar Spinner: Guo Toa
• Vivian’s Brother: Sam Friend
• M.C.: Mark Heap
• Splendini’s Assistant: Suzy Kewer
• Stagehand: Jody Halse
• Jerry Burke: Matt Day
• Antique Shop Couple: Elizabeth Berrington
• Antique Shop Couple: Rupert Frazer
• Desk Clerk: Christopher Godwin
• Lord Lyman: Julian Glover
• Garden Party Guest: Paula Wilcox
• Garden Party Guest: John Standing
• Poker Player: Sanjeev Bhaskar
• Poker Player: John Light
• Wendy Beamish: Tina Rath
• Mrs. Quincy: Caroline Blakiston
• Mr. Quincy: Richard Johnson
• Butler: William Hoyland
• Screamer: Moya Brady
• Pedestrian: Rosie Cavaliero
• Pedestrian: Anthony O’Donnell
• Tenant: Lynda Baron
• Tenant: Phil Cornwell
• Jan: Victoria Hamilton
• Housekeeper: Meg Wynn Owen
• Cop: Alexander Armstrong
• Detective: Anthony Stewart Head
• Sid’s Co-Passenger: Julia Deakin
• Sid’s Co-Passenger: Margaret Tyzack
• Stand-In: Helen Chapman
• Stand-In: Eran Creevy
• Strombel’s Co-Worker (uncredited): John Sessions
• Joe’s Co-Passenger (uncredited): Toby Jones
• Sid’s Co-Passenger: Jeffry Wickham
• Tinsley’s Fan: Richard Stirling

Film Crew:

• Producer: Gareth Wiley
• Writer: Woody Allen
• Editor: Alisa Lepselter
• Casting: Patricia Kerrigan DiCerto
• Set Decoration: Philippa Hart
• Executive Producer: Stephen Tenenbaum
• Casting: Juliet Taylor
• Producer: Letty Aronson
• Casting: Gail Stevens
• Production Design: Maria Djurkovic
• Camera Operator: Remi Adefarasin
• Art Direction: Nick Palmer
• First Assistant Editor: Morgan Neville
• Costume Designer: Jill Taylor
• Unit Production Manager: Helen Robin
• Co-Executive Producer: Jack Rollins
• Co-Executive Producer: Charles H. Joffe
• Co-Producer: Nicky Kentish Barnes
• Unit Production Manager: Tori Parry
• First Assistant Director: Michael Elliott
• Production Coordinator: Francesca Dowd
• Post Production Coordinator: Scott Kordish
• Assistant Production Coordinator: Carrie-Ann Banner
• Production Accountant: Louise O’Malley
• Post Production Accountant: Pietro Lorino, Jr.
• Assistant Accountant: Kerry Smith
• Clearances Coordinator: Cassandra Sigsgaard
• Script Supervisor: Kim Armitage
• Location Manager: Michael Harm
• Location Manager: Sue Quinn
• Assistant Location Manager: Aurelia Thomas
• Location Coordinator: Lucy Foulds
• Standby Art Director: Sarah Stuart
• Graphic Designer: Hannah Capron
• Art Department Assistant: Louise Begbie
• Property Buyer: Gill Farr
• Property Master: Chris Cull
• Dressing Prop: Stephen Thomson
• Dressing Prop: Andrew ‘Monty’ Wilson
• Standby Carpenter: David Williamson
• Standby Painter: Bradley Woodbridge
• Standby Rigger: Colin Smith
• Construction Manager: Dave Creed
• Supervising Carpenter: William Rigby
• Grip: John Arnold
• Focus Puller: David Cozens
• Clapper Loader: John Adefarasin
• Camera Trainee: Ben Adefarasin
• Still Photographer: Clive Coote
• Gaffer: Jimmy Wilson
• Rigging Gaffer: Ian Franklin
• Best Boy Electric: Mark Funnell
• Electrician: Tony Burns
• Electrician: Ben Wilson
• Assistant Costume Designer: Charlotte Sewell
• Costume Supervisor: Charlotte Finlay
• Wardrobe Assistant: Karen Beale
• Wardrobe Assistant: David Wootton
• Hair Designer: Sallie Jaye
• Makeup Artist: Polly Earnshaw
• Hairstylist: Tracey L. Miller-Smith
• Hairstylist: Lisa Tomblin
• Makeup Trainee: Charlotte Hayward
• Production Sound Mixer: Peter Glossop
• Boom Operator: Shaun Mills
• Sound Assistant: Stephane Malenfant
• Second Assistant Director: Tamana Bleasdale
• Third Assistant Director: Samar Pollitt
• Floor Runner: Joey Coughlin
• Casting Associate: Will Davies
• Casting Assistant: David Wheal
• Casting Assistant: Julie Schubert
• Driver: Waseem Barlas
• Driver: Peter Trotman
• Driver: Roy Clarke
• Driver: Lee Isgar
• Driver: Enyo Mortty
• Assistant Editor: James Nichols Jr.
• Supervising Sound Editor: Robert Hein
• Sound Editor: David Wahnon
• Assistant Sound Editor: Eytan Mirsky
• Dialogue Editor: Sylvia Menno
• Sound Effects Editor: Glenfield Payne
• Foley Editor: Coll Anderson
• Foley Recording Engineer: Ryan Collison
• Foley Artist: Jay Peck
• Dolby Consultant: Thomas Kodros
• Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Lee Dichter
• Visual Effects Supervisor: Richard Stammers
• Visual Effects Producer: Michelle Corney
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Gemma James

Movie Reviews:

• Wuchak: ***Enjoyable mystery/comedy with Scarlett Johansson***
• “Scoop” (2006) is a mystery/dramedy/romance written and directed by Woody Allen. Scarlett Johansson stars as Sondra Pransky, a geeky college journalist vacationing in England. She gets a tip from the ghost of a dead newsman (Ian McShane) on the identity of a local serial killer and proceeds to partner with bumbling magician Sid Waterman (Woody Allen); the tip leads them to the rich son of a prominent lord, Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), whom Sondra starts to date to acquire information. Is Lyman the notorious killer or isn’t he?
• Although fantastical and somewhat goofy, “Scoop” is first and foremost a mystery and I did enjoy trying to figure out if Peter Lyman is the “Tarot Card killer.” In the story we perceive Peter Lyman largely through the lens of Sondra, who is falling for the guy; hence, the viewer warms up to him.
• “Scoop” is a comedy but not in the laugh-out-loud sense of, say, “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”; it’s mildly amusing, witty and fun but not knee-slapping funny. So if you’re looking for the latter don’t bother.
• The three stars and their chemistry are a highlight. I enjoyed the team-up of Woody (Sid) & Scarlett (Sondra) and their surrogate father/daughter relationship. I knew when I saw “The Horse Whisperer” that Scarlett would grow up to be one of cinema’s leading beauties, and so she is! Scarlett was 21 while filming “Scoop” and the film is worth catching solely for her; just don’t expect any raunch or t&a exploitation (although she does have a one-piece bathing suit scene and a nightie sequence, which are rather modest).
• Hugh Jackman is a great modern masculine actor, of course, and he does fine here, although I couldn’t help wondering if long metal claws would suddenly shoot out of his knuckles!
• “Scoop” is an enjoyable mystery/dramedy highlighted by refreshing originality, a quality cast with good chemistry and English locations. I admit that I didn’t think I’d like the film during the first 25 minutes or so, but then I caught on to the movie’s vibe. The interactions between the three main characters, their story and the mounting mystery pulled me in and glued me until the end. I also enjoyed the creative zany elements (e.g. crossing the River Styx with the Grim Reaper and the reappearing ghost reporter) and the film’s overall refreshing air.
• The movie runs 96 minutes and was shot in London & the English countryside.
• GRADE: B+