Review: Smith, Robbie’s chemistry sells the con in fun, uneven ‘Focus’

Posted on March 6, 2015

By MARK VIOLA

Written and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (“I Love You Phillip Morris,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love”), “Focus” is an enjoyable thriller with two charismatic leads in Will Smith (“Men in Black 3”) and Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street”). There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing pretty much to the end.

The film’s biggest problem is its pacing, with a time break halfway through the story leaving the film feeling more like two smaller movies tacked together. Fortunately, both halves work well enough, but the break does cut off all of the momentum gained during the first half, forcing the story to start over again to re-develop the tension.

This isn’t a perfect film, and it will not be a long-remembered one like “Ocean’s 11,” but it is an enjoyable 105 minutes with slick characters, pretty settings and enough narrative gymnastics to keep things interesting.

All in all, “Focus” is fun movie with solid performances, and just enough sleight of hand to keep us guessing. And for a con man movie, that’s what you’re looking for.

The film is rated R for language, some sexual content and brief violence.

(This is a shortened version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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