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Written by Finger_Of_DOOM
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MATCHSTICK MEN ****1/2 out of ***** Genres 2003 Directed by Ridley Scott Written by Eric Garcia (book) Nicholas & Ted Griffin (screenplay) Cast Nicolas Cage .... Roy Waller Sam Rockwell .... Frank Mercer Alison Lohman .... Angela Bruce Altman .... Dr. Klein Bruce McGill .... Chuck Frechette Jenny O'Hara .... Mrs. Schaffer Steve Eastin .... Mr. Schaffer Beth Grant .... Laundry Lady Sheila Kelley .... Kathy Fran Kranz .... Slacker Boyfriend In the last few years Ridley Scott has given us some big budget blockbuster genre films, with the likes of Gladiator, Hannibal, and Black Hawk Down. In fact, if you look at most of Scott’s films you’ll find a common thread, the guy must like taking the helm of large productions and having enough money to get that million dollar-shot. It appears Scott wanted a break from all that and went back to his small Thelma and Louise-type filmmaking roots. Matchstick Men was an in-between project, something to fill the time between his next giant-sized film (Tripoli, which was supposed to be his next after Matchstick Men but has since been pushed back further).  | | It's not low pixelation, it's dirty windows. | Matchstick Men is a crime film, a comedy, and a thriller all rolled into one. Roy (Nicolas Cage) and Frank (Sam Rockwell) play a pair of con artists always on the swindle by baiting unsuspecting customers by phone. These two partners-in-crime could not be more opposite. Roy is an obsessive-compulsive introvert while Frank is a fearless extrovert. Roy and Frank have worked with each other for quite some time and have developed a rock solid synergy, they can take anyone for any amount of money. But recently they’ve only been doing small jobs and Frank wants to move up and con a wealthy businessman Chuck Frechette (Bruce McGill). But Roy’s uninterested until one day he freaks out, loses his meds and finds out that his psychiatrist has skipped town. Not knowing what to do Roy barricades himself in his home and goes on a several day cleaning frenzy. Seeing that his partner is strung out and in need of meds ASAP, Frank sends him to see Dr. Klein (Bruce Altman) a shrink he knows. After a few sessions Dr. Klein tries to get down to what really bothers Roy and finds out that he was once married. Dr. Klein helps Roy by prescribing some new pills and, at Roy’s request, calling his ex-wife. Roy, feeling better, decides to go with the businessman con. But just as things are stating to go his way Roy finds out from Dr. Klein that he has a teenage daughter Angela (Alison Lohman) from his ex-wife of 15 years, and she wants to meet her father.  | Ridley Scott should be able to afford
a better watch than that! | Angela, after all this time, wants to have a relationship with her father that her mother does not approve of. After a fight she moves in with Roy for a few days and eventually learns what her father does for a living. To his surprise she wants to learn how to be a con artist. Eventually after some nagging and persuasion Roy teaches his daughter the tricks of the trade. Frank later finds out about Roy's daughter and convinces him to use the girl on the businessman con job. From here on in things get a little hairy until a twist at the end knocks you off your feet. But there is no point in ruining the ending for those who have not seen this film before. Ridley Scott has crafted a very entertaining and sweet con flick. At the core are the wonderfully quirky characters, especially Roy. This is by far the best performance Nicolas Cage has given us since Leaving Las Vegas, and matched up with the always entertaining Sam Rockwell you have a dynamite team of opposites that make for an awesome ride through the con world. Alison Lohman is equally impressive. This young actress has delivered a performance that’s not only convincing as a sweet teenage girl but is also well crafted and shows some signs of maturity.  | | I would so lend this guy my wallet. | Ridley Scott has given us a great "little" picture, but this film doesn’t only excel in the story and acting department; the technical aspects are also impressive. John Mathieson’s photography captures the dullness and mundane aspects of L.A. with its grey and silver hues. This sense of dullness perfectly matches the dullness of the small cons these two partners are pulling (that is until something bigger comes their way). The unique brand of editing also adds to the quirkiness of this film with a combination of fast cuts, jump cuts, image flips, swipes and speed-ups that give this film a life beyond the great performances. And to top it all off Hans Zimmer gives us a charmingly clumsy score that helps set the mood for the film. Matchstick Men is an entertaining, involving and highly amusing tale with an unexpected twist at the end, I highly recommend checking this film out if you haven’t already. Finger_Of_DOOM's reviews also appear on DVD Compare, where they include details of the DVD release. For this review click here. Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts) |
