Focus – Film Review

For a moment there I was convinced Focus was going to offer something a bit unique to the Con flick variety. It turns out I conned myself into a film with an appalling main plot and some cringe-worthy dialogue at times. Funnily enough, I still enjoyed it.

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Focus begins well with experienced con man Nicky (Will Smith) taking the alluring yet naïve Jess (Margot Robbie) on a Jedi apprenticeship in petty crime and grifting.

Unlike the big time Oceans team, Nicky stands by the routine of taking small and selling fast. This idea was fresh and fun while the energy of the film was still high and the jokes were flowing.  However as we get to the tense Super Bowl scene at the half waypoint, you realise the film had nowhere to go without a ‘big con’.

They relocate to the beautiful Buenos Aires for the second half where the big con takes place. It was alleviating how the job was not centered around a casino or an art gallery. But in spite of that, the idea of stealing an algorithm that guarantees Formula One wins was just far too ridiculous. Up until the exceptionally silly ending, the plot twists were enjoyable as the upper hand goes between the main characters.

Former Neighbors star, Margot Robbie, charmed along side Smith despite her character not having a lot of room to move beyond,  “Wow Nick how’d you do that? / Nick, can I trust you?” over and over.  Her comic timing is great but the romantic dialogue between the pair was cheesy and uncomfortable at times.

The first half of the film inspires the viewer to learn the tricks of the trade under Nicky’s tutorage. The second half just tries too hard to surprise you.