There have been many movies about extramarital affairs, but rarely have I seen one that presents as clear a picture of the risks (dangers!) of affairs. Most movies glamorize affairs in such a way as to "whitewash" the whole issue (think Bridges of Madison County). But this one shows the very high price that may also be a part of the equation.

It's also unusual in that it illustrates (and even comments on) the difference between love and lust. And although it provides a strong picture of the "highs" of the passion that may be a big part of an affair, it also depicts even more clearly the incredible "lows."

Although the spouse suspects an affair, she never learns the truth (and therefore supposedly isn't hurt)—but I can (and have) written a book about that false assumption. For my experience with the "suspicion" stage, you can read the first chapter of Beyond Affairs, which is posted on the website below the brief description and Table of Contents.

While this movie is not getting the kind of attention that is being showered on Brokeback Mountain, each of them has their own particular (and peculiar) angle. In Match Point, one of the primary areas of focus is on the plight of the third party—and on the desperation of the married man who is having an affair.

As a whole, it was far too intense (and tension-producing) for my liking, but I sat through it because I like to be informed about what's "out there" for public consumption. And while it depicts a situation that is more extreme than most real-life stories, it includes a general climactic event that I have seen in at least two previous movies. And I must admit that I know firsthand of several real-life horror-stories that are in this same vein.

An interesting footnote: This movie (which is being hailed as his best in many years) was written and directed by Woody Allen who had his own real-life experience with a pretty dramatic situation in having an affair with his wife's adopted daughter—to whom he has now been married for about 9 years.