Focus: A Con Game of Charm and Deception
A seasoned con artist and skilled manipulator, Nicky, finds himself outsmarted by the alluring Jess in a seemingly simple scam. Amused by her audacity, Nicky takes Jess under his wing, inducting her into his crew. Jess proves to be a natural, quickly mastering the art of deception. However, fearing that emotional attachments could compromise his work, Nicky abruptly ends their relationship. Three years later, their paths cross again as they find themselves on opposite sides of a high-stakes con.
Fun Fact: Apollo Robbins, a renowned expert in deception and manipulation, nicknamed “The Gentleman Thief,” served as a consultant for the film’s crew.
Audiences have a long-standing fascination with crime films, especially those featuring charismatic and audacious con artists. When a beloved star is added to the mix, viewers often find themselves rooting for the criminals, morality and law be damned. The characters in “Focus” make no pretense of being law-abiding citizens; they are simply thieves. Yet, we find ourselves empathizing with them, even justifying their actions. So, what’s the “Focus” of “Focus”?
The filmmakers created a fictional football championship, complete with fake teams and advertisements for non-existent products, specifically for the movie.
The Art of the Con: Performance is Key
As with any act of manipulation, whether a playful prank or a criminal scheme, the performer is paramount. If a con artist or illusionist can capture your attention, you’re done for. They’ll pull a rabbit out of a hat and leave you in awe, or lift your wallet with such finesse that all you can do is applaud. “Focus” relies on two such performers, though both are, in a way, not quite at their peak. Will Smith, while still an A-list star, hasn’t delivered a truly memorable performance in years, and Margot Robbie is a rising star still building her reputation, albeit with bold and confident strides. The pair works best together; the story requires both of them, and the audience is most engaged during the scenes where sparks fly between Smith and Robbie.
The task of igniting those sparks falls to directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, whose previous credits include the screenplay for “Bad Santa” and directing “I Love You, Phillip Morris.” For the most part, Requa and Ficarra succeed. “Focus” starts with such energy that for the first few minutes, viewers can only gape at the humor, drive, and adrenaline unfolding on screen. One wishes they could praise the script (also by Ficarra and Requa) all the way to the end, but the narrative suffers a significant break in the middle. “Focus” feels like it’s been snapped in half, consisting of two stories set years apart. Each part has a different pace, tone, setting, and even characters. This is somewhat disorienting, and it’s unclear why it was done. The plot justification feels strained, and it doesn’t add any extra dynamism to the actors’ performances. After all, Smith and Robbie aren’t particularly adept at playing a fiery rekindling of old flames, especially when that’s not what the audience is expecting.
High Stakes and Glamorous Locations
What the audience does expect are audacious heists, and in this regard, “Focus” confidently follows the path paved by the “Ocean’s” trilogy and the more recent “Now You See Me.” Dynamic editing, a lively soundtrack, and fashionable, elegant criminals who make their marks eager to be deceived – all of this is executed brilliantly, especially in the first half. The second half is weighed down by a less-than-believable subplot involving a fake engineer, but it’s redeemed by Rodrigo Santoro’s portrayal of an ambitious millionaire with cunning plans. The shifting backdrops of race tracks and stadiums, reception halls and thieves’ dens, hotels and restaurants, lend the film a sense of a pleasant journey through glamorous locales, making the viewer feel like part of the charming rogues’ team. And that feeling, as we all know, is usually worth a lot.
Final Verdict: A Stylish Heist Flick
Overall, “Focus,” with the exception of a somewhat poorly conceived plot hole in the middle, is hard to fault. Excellent actors, bright humor that teeters on the edge, fantastic sets, original tricks, and brisk editing keep things from getting boring. Will Smith seems to have returned to his “Bad Boys” days, firing off witty remarks, and Margot Robbie exudes pure sex appeal, confirming her perfect casting as Harley Quinn. It’s almost impossible to look away. Just remember to stay vigilant and keep your belongings close in the dark of the theater – con artists and thieves, it turns out, can be lurking in the most unexpected places.