Matchstick Men – 2003

A slick stylish con artist flick, but have we seen it before? In films like these you pretty much know the basis of how the storyline will go. A very good con artist tired of living the life of a crook tries to go straight, but before they depart is there time for one last con/heist.

It’s almost the same here but for some differences, firstly Cage’s character Roy Waller is not your run of the mill conman, he’s an is an obsessive-compulsive floating through life with no real emotional ties. Going through his daily motions is humorous to watch and Cage revels in the non action hero for the first time in a while.

Desperate to go straight (here we go) after the arrival of Angela (Alison Lohman) the 14 year old daughter he never knew he had, he manages to form a bond and the missing piece of his life is seemingly about to fit into place.

Plot suggests that this is not going to go well, and Frank Mercer (Sam Rockwell) who is desperate to carry the business on and to step out of Roy’s shadow is an integral part, although his screen time is fairly limited.

Director Ridley Scott is again stepping out of his alien/gladiatorial comfort zone but here his astute direction does not just focus on the characterization but also the development of a good story. As with most con flicks there is a twist but it is left to the audience to decide whether or not they think Roy has come out on top.

It’s a well scripted film and the emotional angle will play a key role, but the overall outcome is certainly more deceptive than anyone can possibly imagine.

View the trailer

Rating: (3.5/5)

Visit the IMDb page for Matchstick Men

DVD Extras: DVD extras include a commentary from Scott and his writers, Nicholas and Ted Griffin, as well as an extensive making-of feature/diary.

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