SCOOP — ** — Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman, Woody Allen; rated PG-13 (profanity, brief drugs, nude artwork, vulgarity).
"Scoop" was supposed to be part of the next phase in Woody Allen's career comeback. It's the second film he's shot in Europe, following the recent erotic thriller "Match Point," which was his first critically acclaimed work in years.
But this screwball comedy/mystery finds Allen reverting to disappointing lightweight form. In fact, this is pretty much a younger, cast-conscious re-do of his 1993 film "Manhattan Murder Mystery," which isn't that fondly remembered.
It certainly doesn't help that the rather flat-footed "Scoop" gets off to such a slow start and that it never really seems to pick up any speed.
Scarlett Johansson stars as Sondra Pransky, an American journalism student vacationing in London who's just received "tip" from the afterlife.
Joe Strombel (Ian McShane), a recently deceased investigative journalist, appears to her in ghostly form and urges her to track down the mysterious Tarot Card Killer, who's murdered a dozen prostitutes. It may be a great story, but it's also a crazy one, and the only person Sondra can turn to for help is Sid Waterman (Allen), a magician going by the stage name Splendini.
With his help, Sondra is able to get access to Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), an aristocrat and unlikely suspect. Peter seems smitten with Sondra, so she pretends to be a wealthy American — to get closer to her story.
It's pretty predictable stuff, and the sharp changes in tone are jarring.
As for Allen's new muse, Johansson is mostly mannerisms and tics here. (Up to now, she's been pretty natural and unforced in her performances.)
Jackman is adequate, but this material wastes the talents of McShane (from pay-cable's "Deadwood"). And Allen saves all the best lines for himself, which may mean that his comic-relief efforts here are welcome but also come across as a bit selfish.
"Scoop" is rated PG-13 for scattered profanity, brief drug references (including poison), glimpses of nude artwork and some mildly suggestive talk. Running time: 96 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com