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Match Point (2005)

By Siavash Behmard · August 18, 2011

Screenplay Genre: Drama / Crime / Romance

Movie Time: 124 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is a retired tennis pro turned tennis instructor who befriends the wealthy family of his student, Tom Hewett (Matthew Goode). Chris quickly becomes involved with the Hewett family through his relationship with Tom's older sister Chloe Hewett (Emily Mortimer). While at the Hewett residence, Chris stumbles upon and begins courting a beautiful blonde American girl, Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), who is revealed to be Tom's fiancé. (00:13:11)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

As Chris' relationship with Chloe grows so does his secret passion for Nola. When Tom's mother mentions that Nola should consider pursuing an alternate path rather than continue acting, she storms off into the rain. Chris follows her out into the cornfields, and they have sex for the first time. (00:36:40)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

Knee deep in marriage, Chris continues to please Chloe enough to keep her and the Hewett family happy. Meanwhile, during a casual tennis match between Chris and Tom, it is revealed that Tom has broken up with Nola and has found a new woman. While at the Tate Modern with his wife, Chris runs into Nola and asks her to give him her number so they can meet. The affair is rekindled as they meet up in Nola's new apartment. (00:57:46)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

After Nola reveals that she is pregnant and wants Chris to leave his wife for her, Chris shows up to Nola's apartment before she arrives from work and kills her elderly neighbor, making it look like a robbery. He then waits for Nola to return from work and shoots her. (01:32:41)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

Chris is brought into the police station for questioning about the murder of Nola. He lies about his relationship with Nola and says that last time that he saw her was a brief encounter in the Tate Modern. The detectives catch him in his lie by presenting the diary of Nola Rice in which she describes her affair with Chris. (01:48:29)