This week in our ‘Friday Night Movies‘ series, we’re delving into the slick and stylish world of “Focus,” a not-so-typical 2015 romantic crime comedy that blends smart heists with sharp humour. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, “Focus” isn’t just another con movie — serving up a cocktail of witty dialogue between two Hollywood A-Listers, twisty plot turns, and glossy aesthetics, making it an engaging watch for anyone who loves a bit of romance with their suspense and twists.
Plot
“Focus” revolves around seasoned con artist Nicky Spurgeon, who is both adept at and jaded by the game of deception and theft. The plot kicks off when Nicky meets Jess Barrett, an aspiring con artist looking to learn the ropes. Sensing her potential—and undeniable allure—Nicky takes her under his wing during a high-stakes operation in New Orleans centred around the bustling world of underground betting.
As their mentor-mentee relationship evolves into a deeper connection, Nicky unexpectedly breaks it off, wary of the dangers their entanglement poses to his professional life. The second act picks up three years later in Buenos Aires where Nicky is engaged in an even bigger scheme involving a race car mogul. When Jess reappears, now an accomplished femme fatale, their past and present collide, throwing Nicky off his game and setting the stage for twist upon twist.
Cast
Will Smith brings his A-game as Nicky, a con man whose charm is as finely tuned as his sleight of hand. Our very own Barbie Girl — Margot Robbie shines as Jess, evolving impressively from a keen novice to a master of manipulation. Together, Smith and Robbie and a supporting cast, including Adrian Martinez and Gerald McRaney deliver a film with a fast-paced and unpredictable narrative.
Trailer
Reviews
We are going to go out on a limb here and say “Focus” is highly underrated. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an underwhelming Audience Score of 53%. While on IMDb the movie has scored only slightly higher with a 6.6 rating from over 270,000 reviews.
How To Watch Focus
Other Friday Night Movie Recommendations
Fans of the slick heist and twist and turns should also consider watching “Ocean’s Eleven” for its star-studded ensemble and clever plot twists and “Catch Me If You Can” for a cat-and-mouse game between a con artist and an FBI agent.
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