The crimedy dramance “Focus,” starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie, should be on everyone’s list of movies to se. It isn’t the stunning and unique crime movie the previews make it out to be, but there are high-stake deals and plenty of suspense and mystery to keep audiences fixated.
With $19.1 million in sales this weekend, it whipped and choked “Fifty Shades of Grey” off its latex throne at the top of the box office.
Smith plays the role of Nicky, the life long con man who winds up in bed trying to pick the pocket of Jess, played by Robbie.
Jess is simultaneously trying to rob Nicky, but she finds that she isn’t the bedroom bandit she thought she was; Nicky walks out with his knapsack full, schooling her on how the game is played.
Jess sees that Nicky is the superior swindler and ditches her partner to work for him. Nicky then spends some time showing Jess and the audience how real con artists scam and swipe.
In addition to fraudulent tricks involving more sleight of hand than a first date with Criss Angel, the duo and a team of professional thieves participate in every kind of scam and racket imaginable, until the plot twist.
Yes, this movie has a twist – or to be more accurate, twists. In fact, there are so many twists that the whole movie might be subliminal messaging for churro sales.
Fortunately for the audience, the twists walk on the right side of the line. They are near perfect, combing both the “Slap-in-the-face” and the “Go-for-lips-get-cheek” techniques.
Smith’s portrayal of Nicky is well-played and nicely rounded, showing cold, criminal charm while also portraying an exposed and emotional nature. This makes the audience forget his acting in “After Earth,” which made some doubt the longevity of his acting career.
Robbie performs splendidly and proves her competence as a leading lady with her character, who had a major role in creating suspense and tension. Her charisma swoons the audience with glimpses of her comedic side.
As expected with two Hollywood hotties, there is romance. Thankfully the writers and directors, Glen Ficcara and John Requea, avoided cheap rating-boosts by submerging the audience in the dangers and independence of criminal life, rather than having the entire film spent in a cheap hotel bedroom.
As far as the script goes, expect the witty banter that is common of Hollywood’s sophisticated criminals. Although it is engaging at first, the jargon drivel becomes annoyingly repetitive as the movie wraps up.
While the film is worth seeing, it isn’t exceptional. It suffers from a number of crime film clichés including cheesy lines; prolonged, serious glares; and the token funny, fat guy, Adrian Martinez, who plays a loyal friend to Smith’s character. Viewers can expect to see the glorification of criminal lifestyles that has seemingly assumed a permanent position on the recent marquee with blockbusters like Wolf of Wall Street and The Gambler.
Despite dawdling into sub-culture stereotypes, “Focus” will hold viewers’ concentration until summer’s heavy hitters and is worth all the ramen college students will have to eat to make up for the $40 night out.
