‘Focus‘ – written and directed in 2015 by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa – is a pure entertainment film, from the category that Americans use to call ‘caper movies’ – films with picturesque and likeable villains, who plan robberies or scams. The main characters are a couple of con artists who meet, fall in love, break up, meet again, and are involved together in the next hit on seemingly opposite positions. It matters a lot that Will Smith and Margot Robbie are cast in the lead roles. The entire film, in fact, is written for them and happens around them. They are also the principal reason why, looking for an entertaining action film, I chose to watch ‘Focus‘ ten years after its appearance on the screens. The second reason was the names of the two filmmakers (writers and directors) who also made ‘Rabbit Hole’ – one of the most captivating TV series I have seen in recent years.
The story begins in New York around Christmas. Jess, a novice con artist and pickpocket, has the misfortune (or maybe luck?) of choosing Nick, an expert in the art of conning, as a victim for a blackmail. The master easily figures out the attackers and then gives the beautiful blonde some free professional lessons. He even decides to invite her to join his team that is planning a series of ‘hits’ in New Orleans, before the Super Bowl. As Jeff learns the secrets of the trade, the relationship between the two heats up and gets to the place where all the viewers expected it to go. After another original, well-planned, but risky final hit that doubles the con artists’ winnings, Nick leaves Jess. The reason (or pretext?) – his father (the one who initiated him into the secrets of the trade) had instructed him not to get romantically involved with ‘colleagues’. Three years later, we find Nick in Buenos Aires, planning another scam in the world of car racing teams. Jess seems to be the girlfriend of the man who bought his services, but Nick is preparing to cheat on him. Will the flame between the two be rekindled? Or will Nick succeed in following his father’s precepts?
I liked the first half of ‘Focus‘ better because I love the genre of films that expose scams, illusionist tricks, plans based on skill and daring. Two memorable scenes (the choreographed thefts on the streets of New Orleans during the carnival and the one at the Super Bowl) also take place in this part of the film. The second part has a completely different style and atmosphere, closer to a classic action comedy with some elements of technological thriller. Will Smith and Margot Robbie do their job well, they look gorgeous and the relationship between them is believable on screen. And yet, especially in the second part, something is missing. ‘Everybody lies’ was the mantra of the hero of one of my favorite series – ‘House M.D.’ -, and this applies to all the characters in this film. However, the mystery dissipates towards the end and what started out as a great film turns into just another nice action comedy that I’m afraid I’ll forget quickly.