Will Smith needs a hit. Since
taking a break from acting between 2008 and 2012, Smith has returned to rest on
his laurels in MIB3, and to appear in a pair of undisputed duds (After Earth
and Winter’s Tale). It’s now been seven years since he was legend, 12 years
since he was last a bad boy and almost 20 years since he saved the world from
planet toasting aliens in Independence Day.
While Focus sees Smith as a bit
of a bad boy, it’s a far cry from his heyday as the king of the blockbuster
opening weekends. In Focus, Smith plays Nicky, a con-artist extraordinaire, who
learned the ropes from his notorious father and now works with a tight crew to
rip off (mostly) extremely rich people. When Margot Robbie’s Jess enters his
life in a misguided attempt to con the king of the game, she asks to be taken
under his wing in order to learn from the best. Hitting up the Superbowl in New
Orleans, Jess and Nicky start to develop a romantic relationship, but then
suddenly things go awry. The remainder of the film takes place three years
later as Jess and Nicky are thrown together again as Nicky is involved in an
operation to grab millions of Euros from a Buenos Aires Formula One game. Can
the pair overcome their past to make it out with the millions?
Focus is yet another film full
of cons, double crosses, dodgy dealings and twists. Will Smith and Margot
Robbie are such an astonishingly attractive couple that it is hard to focus on
their light fingered movements and the way the films writers/directors are
manipulating and using misdirection to pull the wool over our eyes. It’s easy
to just enjoy the surface shine of the film with New York, New Orleans and
Buenos Aires all looking stunning as this ridiculously good looking pair breeze
their way through the story.
It’s amazing to see how the
other half live. Focus has rich revellers taking to the streets of New Orleans
and having their valuables pilfered. It has gamblers in special seats high
above the Superbowl game making million dollar bets and it has Formula One team
owners living lives of luxury in the beautiful Buenos Aires. It also has some
clever twists and turns, where the con is not quite as expected and the
storytellers stay one step ahead of the audience.
However, it also has some
ludicrous last minute revelations that don’t really add up when looked at too
deeply. However, with Will Smith on smirking form, Margot Robbie looking
sensational in a range of stunning outfits and a look into the how the
wealthiest on this planet live, it’s hard to focus on the story, instead of
just how damn fine everything looks in this movie.
Interestingly, sleight of
hand expert Apollo Robbins was a consultant on the film. If you haven’t seen
his TED talk about misdirection and controlling attention, go watch that to see
how easily a real con artist can snatch your valuables. Focus doesn’t steal
your money and offer nothing in return, but some of its sillier twists and
turns may ultimately leave you feeling a little short-changed.
Watch the trailer:
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