Click to read the article
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:122
Fresh:55
Rotten:67
Average Rating:5.2/10
Consensus: The writing for Scorpion is not as sharp as Woody Allen's previous movies as most of the jokes fall flat.
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins
Genre: Comedies
US Box Office: $6,793,998
Synopsis: Woody Allen's funny, frantic THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION is part screwball romantic comedy, part 1940s noir detective story, and part ingenious heist film. Allen stars as C.W. Briggs, a... Woody Allen's funny, frantic THE CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION is part screwball romantic comedy, part 1940s noir detective story, and part ingenious heist film. Allen stars as C.W. Briggs, a set-in-his-ways old-time insurance investigator who refuses to get along with the bright new efficiency expert, Betty Ann Fitzgerald (Helen Hunt), brought in to streamline his office's operations. Their back-and-forth bickering is reminiscent of the interplay between Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in HIS GIRL FRIDAY. When a magician, played by the always excellent David Ogden Stiers, hypnotizes them as part of his stage act, Briggs unknowingly becomes a jewel thief while falling in and out of love with the exceedingly more confused Fitz, who is carrying on a secret affair with the married head of the company (Dan Aykroyd). Mayhem ensues as a pair of brother detectives zero in on the criminal, a sexy debutante comes on to Briggs, and Briggs and Fitz start suspecting each other. Production designer Santo Loquasto, who has been working with Allen for more than twenty years, once again has created beautiful sets, and the soundtrack, featuring such 1940s jazz treasures as Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington, is simply splendid. [More]
Starring: Woody Allen, Dan Aykroyd, Charlize Theron, Helen Hunt
Starring: Woody Allen, Dan Aykroyd, Charlize Theron, Helen Hunt, Elizabeth Berkley, John Schuck, Wallace Shawn, David Ogden Stiers, Brian Markinson, Professor Corey
Director: Woody Allen
Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Producer: Letty Aronson
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
Reviews for The Curse of the Jade Scorpion
Like a Swiss clock, Allen is the only American director who makes a film every year, but chronic fatigue and lack of inspiration seem to have taken over his work, as this retro comedy, using the old conceit of hypnosis, shows.
Woody Allen cooks up an easy-going little swindle comedy, not too far off from his last film Small Time Crooks.
A cierta altura es imposible no sentir que la broma se alarga, aún a pesar de las palabras, los personajes o el elenco.
A little Woody goes a long way. His cloying nebbishness gets old quickly, though he does have a singular wit and some kind of indefinable charm.
'The old joke of Woody as irresistible romantic lead has gone from funny, to discomforting, to pitiable.'
Is it funny? Yeah, kinda. But somehow it doesn't all come together. It's not that the material is lacking, but, incredibly for an Allen picture, that the delivery is off-kilter.
Latest News for The Curse of the Jade Scorpion
June 03, 2005:
Woody Allen Makes a "Match" With DreamWorks
Woody Allen's well-received entry into the Cannes Film Festival, "Match Point," has been snatched up by DreamWorks Pictures for a cool $4 million. Described as much... More...
June 05, 2001:
Hey, if it worked in 2000 with Small Time Crooks (which was Allen's most commercially profitable film ever) maybe it can work this film too. ![]()
More...
June 05, 2001:
Woody returns with another period piece, this one set in the '40s. ![]()
More...
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 70% 70% | Where the Wild Things Are | 03/12 |
| 83% 83% | Paranormal Activity | 03/12 |
| 89% 89% | Zombieland | 03/12 |
| 76% 76% | The Informant! | 03/12 |
| | The Strength of Water | 03/12 |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Curse of the Jade Scorpion at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Curse of the Jade Scorpion at IGN
- The Curse of the Jade Scorpion at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection



Top Critic

