The murder scenes in both Match Point and Crime and Punishment, represent the constant struggle between fantasy and reality, nihilism and faith. Nihilism is the rejection of traditional views, there is no God; therefore, there is no meaning to life. Whether an individual believes in God or a higher power, determines their relationship to moral behavior. If there is no God, then one can get away with anything: murder, bend and break rules, satisfy urges, give in to dark desires, live a double life, and smooth over problems. There are no existential consequences, assuming one can overcome their moral conscience. The opposite is true in regard to the “fantasy” outlook of society. In the presence of a higher power, virtues such as honesty, integrity, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion, demand that one must fulfill this moral obligation. Woody Allen, uses Match Point as a reminder that the amoral perspective is the reality of society, while the moral vision is the ideal. Woody Allen and Dostoyevsky’s characters represents these two contrasting ideologies. Allen’s character Chris, reflects the personage that Dostoyevsky attempted to represent in Crime and Punishment, a character so disconnected from morality that he can get away with murder. These characters are tools that reflect the ideal of “fantasy versus reality” of their creators. Dostoyevsky created his character to represent the presence of justice in a world lacking a higher power. Whereas, Woody Allen uses the character of Chris to relate the nihilist theme: the world exist without a higher power or a moral justice system; therefore, there is no reason to conform to social constraints. Match Point challenges the ideals presented in Crime and Punishment, that one has to be punished for the crimes they have committed, in order to be able to live with them, guilt in both murder scenes become a balancing force, and if one is able to detach from the guilt, then realistically speaking there is no punishment to face.
The crimes committed by these individuals, provide the reader with a portrayal of their personalities, foreshadowing the outcomes of the murders both have committed. Initially, Raskolnikov and Chris, seemingly portray the same set of characteristics and beliefs, as seen through their decision to commit murder. However, it is obvious from the very beginning that Dostoyevsky’s character Raskolnikov struggles with the “split” in his character. Raskolnikov is haunted by nightmares leading up to the murder. He struggles with deciding whether murder is the correct manner in addressing his problems and the dreams he experiences reflect the failure of Raskolnikov to separate himself from his moral conscience. This results in Raskolnikov’s crime being messy, he is not cautious of who sees him and panics when faced with obstacles. The writing style used throughout this scene creates a sense of chaos, fear, and hesitation: “He felt that he was losing his head, that he was almost frightened,...
