It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Will Smith movie masterclass, but Focus certainly serves as a return to form for one of the most charismatic male leads in the business.
It’s fair to say that Smith’s bid to get son Jaden over in 2013’s After Earth didn’t really go down too well – and he’s not really been seen at his very best since Seven Pounds way back in 2008.
However, he’s well and truly in his element in this old-fashioned con-artist flick, which is co-directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (Crazy, Stupid, Love).
That’s in no small part to co-star Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street), who enhances her growing reputation with a great turn as a wannabe con queen who falls under Smith’s charming spell.
The story, which is always cleverly conning the viewer, is pretty simple – on the surface, at least.
Smith is Nicky, the leader of a group of fast-fingered crooks (or lifters, as they’re often referred to) that make easy money by preying on people at big events.
Be it Mardi Gras, the Superbowl or motor racing, the team essentially steal an untraceable million from the unwitting public and move on.
On the face of it, they’re the kind of people we hate – credit card fraudsters and pickpockets. But when explained and showcased by Nicky, it’s actually pretty cool.
Robbie’s character Jess, a stunningly beautiful orphan, wants in on the action – and suitably impresses Nicky enough to get herself a slot on the team. It’s fair to say that the pair hit it off immediately – and the on-screen chemistry between them is the film’s star attraction.
What’s impressive about Focus is that it’s more about the characters than some huge plot. There’s no Ocean’s 11 style ‘final job’ teased or built up, just the relationships between the key players.
Indeed, some of the more elaborate cons will sneak up on you. You’ll feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up – and for the large part, it’s very good fun.
Other than Smith and Robbie, there are some other notable performances too.
I particularly enjoyed a scene involving BD Wong (Jurassic Park) as a crazy high-stakes gambler, while Gerald McRaney (House of Cards) provides a great cameo as ‘old-skool’ advisor to European racing millionaire Garriga (Rodrigo Santoro – 300).
For all of its positives, Focus does, however, get a bit lost in its own con at times.
The story is incredibly fragmented and is often a little hard to believe. Everyone has an angle – and there are maybe a few too many twists and turns for my taste.
That aside, Focus is a pretty cool movie. Smith and Robbie are excellent together – which serves as a nice preview to 2016’s Suicide Squad, where they’ll play Deadshot and Harley Quinn respectively.
Don’t expect a classic, but catching this at the cinema is a gamble worth taking.
Voice Verdict: 7/10
+ Smith and Robbie are great together
+ Very cool
+ BD Wong’s scene is excellent
– Fragmented, at times unbelievable
Showtimes at West End Cinema, Boston (Fri, March 6 to Thurs, March 12)
Box office: 01205 363634
Web: www.westendcinema.co.uk/SavoyBoston
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