Review ‘Focus’ From The Editor

Sometimes movies come around that, even after you watch them, seem like they should be movies you don’t like. There are some underwhelming performances, plot holes, or the usual things that plague “bad” movies. However, sometimes these same movies have redeeming qualities, like is the case in Glen Ficarra and John Requa’s (Crazy, Stupid, Love) Focus, that make the film much more appealing. With all its holes, Focus is still a movie with enough going for it.

Will Smith stars as Nicky, a long-time hustler with a certain set of skills who hires Jess (his Suicide Squad co-star Margot Robbie) as an intern. The two flirt, they fall for each other and make a boat load of money over Superbowl weekend in New Orleans. But Nicky leaves Jess to go do other things, only for the pair to cross paths again three years when Nicky is hired by race car owner Garriga (Rodrigo Santoro) who is now the object of Jess’ affections

Focus has an inherent “out” when it comes to its plot because of the con aspect of the story. Nothing is as it seems and they can essentially hit the “undo” button on any of their character’s actions. This comes into account multiple times throughout the film and can easily be considered a problem the film has to overcome.

Personally, these little sacrifices are worth it and a large reason why involves the two leads and their relationship. There are some trite, cliche moments but they work themselves out. I’m not generally a fan of Will Smith but he’s more than half-way decent in a more conflicted role than I expected.

Which would be fine if Smith and Robbie had the chemistry Clooney and Roberts had. But despite Smith being one of the most effortlessly charming men in existence and Robbie being an incredibly striking screen presence, the two have all the connections of one-piece LEGO set. Even when they’re given flashy and sexy dialogue, Focus is spectacularly flat. What’s funny is that Robbie appears to have more chemistry with the ‘fat comic relief’ Farhad (Adrian Martinez) who actually turns in the movie’s best performance.

Robbie is unfortunately underutilized (especially given her acting abilities) but makes the best of her time onscreen. There’s a little too much “dumb blonde” to her character but, again, the film’s premise makes it inherently tough to trust anyone…making everyone’s characters just that much more interesting.

Robbie’s damsel-in-distress character is just part of the reason Focus is far from a polished masterpiece. There are some far-fetched moments in the film – especially when the crew meets a notorious gambling addict – that knocks the film down a bit. There’s also a lot packed into the final act that makes it a little much.

Focus is another in a long list of movies that promotes stealing from innocent people while pretending it’s cool and sexy. At least Ocean’s Eleven goes out of its way to say Andy Garcia is a prick or The Wolf of Wall Street, which goes to great lengths to paint Jordan Belfort in a bad light, but Focus presents this group of common thieves as heroes who are stealing from everyday folk with no thought for the victims. There’s also no repercussions, which makes the script and direction seem even more reprehensible.

Focus certainly won’t go down as one of the best films of the year, but it should be considered a surprise hit. With a premise that could’ve easily turned into a sappy rom-com with some thinly-veiled sleight-of-hand, writers and directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa take a different, if perhaps a little dubious, approach. It’s a film worth at least giving a fair shake.

Focus is in theaters now!