Cinema Review: Focus (15)

The thing about films revolving around con artists is that you're always looking for the big twist; The Sting, Ocean's Eleven, The Grifters, and Matchstick Men to name but a few. Focus is also a film about confidence tricksters which is a simple, entertaining story but it doesn't quite fulfil its potential.

Will Smith plays Nicky, a charming and confident con man who meets the extremely gorgeous Jess (Margot Robbie). He agrees to take her under his wing and proceeds to introduce her to his world. There is an obvious attraction from the start and they eventually fall for each other. However (and without giving too much away) Nicky abandons Jess without warning, leaving her devastated.
The film then jumps ahead three years and finds Nicky working another con for a rich Formula One boss (Rodrigo Santoro). Things get complicated when Jess suddenly shows up.

Will Smith as Nicky

From some of his previous roles, we already know that Will Smith can be charismatic and funny, and as Nicky he gets to display this throughout the film. Yet, despite his charm, it is still slightly ridiculous that anybody could be as good (or maybe as lucky) as this character. A gambling problem that is alluded to early on is never fully explored. This would have given Nicky much more depth as a person. However, Smith works well with what he is given.
He also looks great for a man pushing 50 as evidenced from a few shirtless scenes.

Margot Robbie as Jess

Will Smith may be the biggest name in the film but it's Margot Robbie who is the true star. She is sweet, playful, sexy and beautiful. It's easy to see why men adore her and women want to be like her. Jess could have been played as a bit of fluff, just something pretty to look at, but Robbie gives the audience a character with more substance.

The two main stars have great chemistry and work well within their roles but are let down by the actual story. It was far too simple and uncomplicated for a tale about con artists. At several points I expected a bit of a twist, a sting in the tale, but it never came. And while it was a good film, it could have been so much more. Even the ending is signposted if you pay enough attention throughout.

The story also suffers from the over glamorization of Nicky's world. He is essentially Fagin to a group of ridiculously good looking criminals. It is difficult for the viewer to truly get behind someone who already has so much.

Rodrigo Santoro is the villain of the piece but isn't given much screen time and is only really bad when it suits the story.

That aside, this movie has a good cast with enough to keep an audience interested. If you have nothing else to do and want a straightforward tale with some good looking stars, then this is certainly worth the ticket price. Just don't expect anything too convoluted.