The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)

I'll tell you why so serious

Absolutely Fantastic

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The plot is a homage to early American talkies and involves detectives, robberies, magicians, hypnotism, wise cracks and as always with Allen's films, dames. The latter are exquisitely represented through the fantastic Helen Hunt as Allen/Briggs' nemesis and love interest, and the sumptuous Charlize Theron as the femme fatale and fantasy woman, which Allen often likes to include in his films. Add to this potent mixture the usual highly complimentary music score, and you have a film which is entertaining, beautifully shot.Allen put together a terrific supporting cast for this one, including John Schuck (Mize), Elizabeth Berkley (Jill), Wallace Shawn (George), John Tormey (Sam), Kaili Vernoff (Rosie), Brian Markinson (Al) and Peter Gerety (Ned). There's an inspired precision to this film, in the way Allen blends the story, characters and music (such a big part of creating that necessary atmosphere) that makes "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" something of a minor classic in the Allen canon. Aficionados of the classic films of this period will be especially delighted with this one, but anyone who appreciates a film that is well crafted and delivered and provides some solid entertainment will be satisfied, as well.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

The sepia tone impeccably restores the feeling of the 1940's and the wisecracking exchanges between Woody Allen and Helen Hunt, although a bit overused, don't lack the savor of "It Happened One Night" dialogs, and like some of the best screwball comedies, the romantic undertones never distract from the gags, or make us lose their tracking. "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion", released in 2001, is so full of little cinematic delights that it doesn't really matter if the film isn't regarded as the highlight of Woody Allen's career. After more than 30 films, Allen is more than allowed to give himself a break, and although I read he considered the film one of his worst, I wouldn't be surprised if in the years to come, "The Curse" gains more popularity, as I see it, it's got all the ingredients to become a cult-classic.The 2000's were a mixed year for Woody Allen, but the recent successes of "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and especially "Midnight for Paris" spoke very eloquently for a revival of Woody Allen's international prestige, for the fan's great satisfaction, the "little neurotic guy with glasses" still got it. But for myself, there's something that attracts me more to a 'little' film like "The Curse of Jade Scorpion" than these last Oscar-material successes, tailor-made to please European film-critics and God knows how they can get pompous or overly enthusiastic when it comes to Woody Allen, and take it from a fan. Of course, we all love to be taken off- guard by an established film-maker but when you get tired of the whole "love letters" to Barcelona, to Paris and this year to Rome, you start looking at the less ambitious comedies as very endearing little gems. After "Small Time Crooks", "The Curse of Jade Scorpion" provides another example of Woody's talent to make great little films, even greater because they remind of his earlier slapstick films before the more artistically oriented 80's.But let's get back to 2001, to "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion". The film's premise is one of these simple yet very creative ideas, like imagining a fictional character getting off-screen and discovering the real life or a man meeting at midnight the writers and artists that made Paris' history. Woody Allen wondered what if someone could get hypnotized in order to commit a crime and not remembering it, what if this guy gets involved in the investigation. From a simple comedic premise based on the idea of a perfect crime, the other elements of the story come up very naturally, what if the hero is an insurance investigator? How to make the curse start? How about a stage hypnotist show? Then what best way to prove that it works by taking two persons strongly hating each other, and then through the magical power of hypnosis, they suddenly falls in love. Bingo, you have your romantic subplot, the perfect crime, and the design to remind of the Golden Age of film-noir.Woody Allen is C.W. Briggs, a talented insurance investigator and Helen Hunt is Betty Ann Fitzgerald, the new efficient expert, she's sometimes too sophisticated or too modern to be believable as a woman of the 40's, even if her performance is meant to remind of Rosalind Russell or Katharine Hepburn, but anyways. Fitz and Briggs hate each other so much that we know that they would end up together, although she's closer to Barbara Stanwyck than he is to Fred MacMurray. The reference to "Double Indemnity" is more than intentional, but would you imagine Edward G. Robinson involved in a romance? Well, I can buy anything a movie would if as a screwball comedy, it provides the right laughs. Although the scenes are unequally funny, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" benefits from great casting, Dan Aykroyd and Wallace Shawn play their part with nuance and a little comedic something I couldn't put my finger in, even Elizabeth Berkeley was believable as the sexy secretary. But it's Charlize Theron that provides the best bits of dialog with Allen, as the obligatory femme-fatale.And then there's the plot, both Briggs and Fitz can be 'programmed' when they hear two magical words, respectively 'Constantinople' and 'Madagascar'. When Briggs hears 'Constantinople', he instantly gets under the hypnotist's control and executes any of his orders, which all of them include stealing and hiding jewels. It works as a great running gag, carried by a catchy guitar music, the little tone that sticks in your mind after the film ends, you may think it's a detail but the enjoyment of a film is made of little details you wouldn't suspect. And that's probably why some reviewers were more severe about the film, while it was good in our book, by Allen's standards, it could have been better. I also think the film would have fit a shorter length or that some parts were redundant while the resolution was a bit too abrupt, well, I can't disagree with these reactions. I also think there was much more to do with the magical words, but again saying a film could have been better doesn't make it bad. Indeed, even a filmmaker like Woody Allen is not committed to perfection, and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" remains enjoyable from beginning to start. Perhaps, my only regret is that Woody Allen didn't make the film earlier when he was at the top of his game in terms of writing and acting. He had a fabulous chemistry with Helen Hunt, but even for Woody Allen, it's difficult not be distracted by their age difference. Briggs was a bit too old, and I'm sure the film, had it been written in the 70's would have featured smarter jokes, hell, I can even imagine Diane Keaton playing in Helen Hunt's part. Still a good film, with a great casting, great design and great use of music.

It's New York in the 1940's.CW Briggs is an insurance investigator who's constantly fighting with efficiency expert Betty Ann Fitzgerald.She has an affair with his boss Chris Magruder, only his wife is on the way of their happiness.Then those two, CW and Betty Ann are hypnotized by a magician called Voltan.When he hears the word Constantinople, he falls into deepest trance.The word Madagascar does the same for her.These words make them do things they wouldn't normally do, like commit a robbery.And also like each other.Could they be meant for each other? The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) is a Woody Allen film, where he also plays the lead.He has gotten a terrific female lead from Helen Hunt as Betty Ann.Dan Aykroyd gives a great performance as Magruder.Elizabeth Berkley is fantastic as Jill.Charlize Theron has the looks and the talent, in this one she plays Laura Kensington.Allen's regulars Wallace Shawn and David Ogden Stiers play George Bond and Voltan.I just saw the movie on a DVD, having seen it once before.This is a rather interesting Woody Allen picture.It may not be the funniest, a few chuckles here and there, but it's fascinating.It's quite enjoyable to watch Allen every time he hears Constantinople.The movie tries to capture the spirit of the old screwball comedies, kind of what Tracy and Hepburn did, but gets only halfway.But it's a very good effort.

CW Briggs (Woody Allen) is a very talented insurance investigator, having worked for more than 20 years for a company headed by Chris Magruder (Dan Ackroyd). More often than not, he solves difficult cases, like the one of a stolen Picasso. BUT, he is most unhappy that Magruder has brought in a new employee, an efficiency expert, Betty Ann (Helen Hunt). That's because she is turning the place upside down, wrecking CW's unique filing system and giving out tit for tat in any disagreement. What CW doesn't not know, nor does anyone, is that the married Magruder and Betty Ann are having a secret "thing". One night, the entire company goes to celebrate a co-worker's birthday at a restaurant. A magician, Voltan (David Odgen Stiers) hypnotizes the two office enemies, CW and Betty Ann, into, briefly, thinking they are married and on their honeymoon. The key words to set them off are "Constantinople" for CW and "Madagascar" for BA. When Voltan snaps his fingers, the victims both come out, with no memories. Neither believes the story of what just happened to them. However, Holy Toledo! That night, Voltan phones CW and uses his magic word to order the investigator to break into one of their own clients' home and steal valuable jewels. CW is powerless to resist and has no idea of what he is doing, but completes the theft. Next day, the company is aghast and asks Briggs to seek the truth! Ho, ho! Going to the wealthy estate of the gems' owners, CW meets the gorgeous young daughter, Laura (Charlize Theron) and convinces her to step out with him. But, when they end up back at Briggs' place, where he gets another phone call from Voltan, Laura is astounded to be kicked out of bed before any action! Nevertheless, Briggs commits another hypnotic robbery. So, will CW be found out? Will Laura forgive him? Or, could Betty Ann possibly lose interest in Chris and cast her eyes on the man she loathes, Briggs, even as she receives a phone call from Voltan, too? This is no curse of a film at all, being hysterically funny, unless you have broken ribs. It is definitely one of Allen's best recent movies, with an arsenal of memorable lines. Also, Woody does a great acting turn, as does the rest of the very fine cast which includes, besides those mentioned above, Elizabeth Berkley and Wallace Shawn. Then, too, the zany plot is well-imagined and conceived while the film's look, a recreation of the 40's era, has great costumes, sets, and amenities. Kudos to Allen's great comedic direction as well. In short, even the most jaded soul is likely to laugh at this fine flick so grab it soon.