Focus

A moderately good film about con artistry and love. I would give Focus a 7/10.

This film has a beautiful visual style, the cinematography sweeps across a scene in a way that makes you feel like you're surveying the con just as the conmen are. Not to mention the editing, the way this film is cut to heighten events at the exact right moment and play with the focus used in different shots. I also have to mention how well the main plot about pulling off con jobs is done, the best of which was the football gambling scene and the interrogation scene at the end of the film. This film had perfect pacing with a three act structure that you saw unfold smoothly and casually.

Will Smith, who played Nicky, was a fantastic lead; he weaves himself into so many different roles and personas that we are shown the incredible scope of Smith's acting. Margot Robbie, who played Jess, really matched Smith play by play with his ever changing personality; the evolution of her character was great to see and she obviously put a lot of work into creating a seemingly naive character that had a lot more depth to her. Adrian Martinez, who played Farhad, was a great source of comedy within the film; he also had some great chemistry with Robbie and an incredibly heartwarming scene with her. BD Wong, who played Liyuan, was an amazing character in one of the best scenes in the film; he bordered between dangerous and comedic in the football gambling scene practically making the scene his. Brennan Brown, who played Horst, was really great at playing a smooth operator; his efficiency and capability at fitting into the role of a professional criminal was exceptional.

The performance that really stole the show in this film however was Gerald McRaney, who played Owens. McRaney really came into his own with this gruff hard role; incredibly good at balancing irritation with comedy. His entire role was such a twist to watch unfold, to see him shoot Nicky and then to be revealed that he was Nicky's father was a brilliant moment. From there out we saw another side to him, and he became a really wise mentor figure. A very impressive performance that really stole the show.

While this film had a solid plot for the most part there were some failings; Robbie's character never really developed in a satisfying way, nor did the romance between her and Smith feel incredibly strong as a plot. The music of this film was also erratic, the chosen songs not always working in well with the action onscreen.

Rodrigo Santoro, who played Garriga, was an awful antagonist; he never displayed the capacity to feel dangerous or like a threat but rather more like a rich crybaby. Robert Taylor, who played McEwen, was really obnoxious onscreen; his acting style was annoying and he sounded like he was just saying lines more than he was actually acting.