Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Directors: Glen Ficarra & John Requa, Warner Bros, MA, 105 Minutes.
In this tantalising, romantic crime drama from ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’ filmmakers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, master con man Nicky (Will Smith – ‘Gemini Man’) is singled out by novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie – ‘I Tonya’) to be her next target.
The movie opens in a ritzy restaurant where Jess, a petty hustler, decides to pick on Nicky as her next victim unaware of his con man credentials and that he is playing along to check out her real motive.
It is not long before Nicky has taken Jess under his wing as he enters into an intimate relationship with her in addition to teaching the rookie the tricks of the trade in preparation for a successful con.
Fitting in with the training provided by the accomplished con man, Jess has a field day in pinching the wallets and watches of passer-by’s, watched on with a great deal of satisfaction by Nicky himself.
The story soon switches to New Orleans where Nicky has been able to manipulate Jess into helping him pull off a huge heist inside the Superdome only to see both of them go their separate ways.
It is a few years later when Nicky reappears in Buenos Aires and planning a con operation involving a car race in which it appears that he is supporting the opposing team which turns out to be the opposite.
Besides bringing into play some characters from Nicky’s past, it also has him meeting up with Jess again which changes the impression that she was only an amateur con artist at the same time as renewing their personal relationship.
There are many entertaining scenes in this crime drama from Ficarra and Requa as well as a complicated plot due to the many twists and turns, not the mention the subtle betrayals carried out by the major characters.
At the same time, one cannot overlook the enjoyable performances of both Smith and Aussie actress Robbie especially the personal chemistry they exhibit in their many scenes.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 Stars
Focus is to be televised on Channel 7 FLIX at 9.15pm on Saturday 31 July.
