Focus Review

RYAN: Will Smith is back on the big screen in this new criminal caper movie, costarring Margot Robbie whom we all know for play Leo DiCaprio’s wife in The Wolf of Wall Street.

CAROLINE: She was so good in that movie!  How’s their chemistry in this one?

RYAN: …interesting.  They play grifters and they’re both people no one could, or should, ever trust so they’re tried to be made as likable as possible.  They banter, bicker, play off one another really well and they certainly look great together, but I can’t say I felt chemistry.  And you never really root for them, for all the way the film is written, just because they’re grifters.  They’re not good people so I never truly connected to them.

CAROLINE: Ah, that is a tough one. They both look gorgeous though.

RYAN: Beyond.  And they both show enough skin to know they’re living in the gym.  They are both beautiful – and talented.  They’re good performances.

CAROLINE: So you enjoyed it?  Was it very fast and exciting?

RYAN: It’s not too long, but it’s certainly not a quick page turner.  Some of it was great – there were a couple scenes which were intoxicating, especially the scene with B.D. Wong.  Love him in this!  But then other scenes were just fine and so it’s not the most solid of films.  I also didn’t love the score, which takes it all down a notch.  At the start of the film, I was hoping it would be, like, a modern day American Hustle but it’s not that smart.  There are a couple twists, which you always appreciate but nothing that really impressed me.

CAROLINE: That’s a bit disappointing.

RYAN: It’s cool seeing Will and the rest doing their pick pocketing tricks.  It’s almost like they’re magicians, only using their slight of hand for unlawful activity.  And Margot comes in as a sort of apprentice. It’s not a bad premise but I never really grew to care about any of them.

CAROLINE: What did you think of the design?  It looks pretty styled in the trailer.

RYAN: It is nice – the locations, sets, costumes all inform you about who these people are and the kind of money they’re dealing in. It’s a dramedy and I think I liked the drama better.  The funny moments weren’t cheesy but I think making this one or the other would have worked better.  I sometimes love dramedies, only when they’re stronger than this one is.

CAROLINE: Sounds like an uneven movie.

RYAN: It is.  I like that they have a whole Mr. and Mrs. Smith think going on, but again, because they’re not likable characters, it really didn’t work.

CAROLINE: So what’s your bottom line?

RYAN: It’s a hard sell at this time of year, still with award-worthy titles lingering as better options in the theater.  It’s ok – but not a must see on the big screen.

Thanks For Viewing The Focus Review