Focus
Focus
(2015)
A Review by Grant Kanigan
Directed by: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
Written by: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie,
Adrian Martinez, Rodrigo Santoro
Rating: 14A
Release Date: February 27th 2015
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| B.D. Wong, Will Smith and Margot Robbie place their bets in Focus © 2015 - Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. |
Nicky is a career criminal. Raised by a second generation con-man, Nicky has been taught to lie, cheat, steal and con by the best in the business. With his extensive knowledge and contacts from a life in the business, Nicky heads a professional, ethical, (as ethical as a criminal enterprise can be), and sound criminal business. More of a mom and pop operation than a corporation, Nicky and his associates can pull in up to seven figures by their organized pick-pocketing heists. Soon enough, Jess falls onto Nicky's radar after she unsuccessfully attempts to rob him. Motivated by a mutual attraction that is as much for each other as it is for conning, the two begin working together to pull off the biggest take in the con game yet - the Superbowl.
While the story in Focus is laid out clearly for the viewer, it's not the main, (ahem), focus of the film. The main reason for Focus, is its two stars, who exude charisma themselves and showcase electric chemistry together; both Robbie and Smith are immensely talented. Like the duos in Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, or When Harry Met Sally, the most enjoyable part of the film is the interplay between the two romantic leads, (that's not to say Focus is in the same league, but it's at least an homage to classic romantic cinema). The story in Focus is merely a frame in which to place these two inhumanly talented and beautiful people. In that regard, Focus is a light, wholly enjoyable piece of fluffy entertainment.
While lighthearted entertainment is fine for the general crowd at the cinema, (and it is pure escapist cinema), the heist genre suggests so much more. Touching on themes like classism, racism, wealth inequality, the burden of genius and the moral reprehensibility of crime, films like The Sting, Sneakers, Matchstick Men, Heat, Heist, the original Oceans 11 and the modern Oceans trilogy have done and said so much more, and for the most part, more stylistically and intelligently. The script of Focus is about thirty years too late in the game. Void of much meaning besides watching the leads work, the script jumps times, locations, and characters without much reasoning as to why. The greatest part of watching the classics like The Sting or Oceans Eleven is being an active participant in the cons. In Focus the viewer is completely left in the dark, so when the twists come, they're so unexpected, they rarely have any impact. With a cast this brilliant, wonderful locations and exuberant cinematography, it's a shame that the script wasn't up to par in comparison to it's cinematic counterparts.
Overall, Focus is nothing new, and plays more like an imitation of better films than an original feature in and of itself. However, with the charismatic Smith and Robbie it's a thoroughly enjoyable piece of escapism. Robbie, the rare breed of actor who has both looks and immense talent is the best part of the film. Showcasing a range beyond her years, (the Australian actress is only 24 years old), she's definitely an actress to watch in the coming years. Between her performance in The Wolf of Wall Street and Focus, she's fast becoming a talent to reckon with. In closing, Focus brings nothing new to the plate - but with Smith and Robbie at bat, it doesn't need to.
Grant's Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Will Smith & Margot Robbie in Focus: "I've Been Thinking"
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