Film Review - Focus

Sleight of Hand
Film: Focus
Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie
Directed by: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Duration: 1 hr 45 mins
Rating: * * *
 

Focus is one of those con movies which occasionally tries to get too clever for its own good. If you are focused enough, there are many points which strike you instantly while the others come later. If you can ignore them, then this Glenn Ficarra, John Requa venture is entertaining enough.
 

Will Smith plays Nicky a conman who has several employees under him, it is almost as if he is running a corporation. They steal watches, wallets, jewellery and other valuables to make a living. Enter Jess (Margot Robbie) who is in the same game and wants to be a part of the team. After a successful mission, they go their own ways only to bump across a few years later in Buenos Aires. He is working for a racing team and will help the owner sell the wrong fuel burning formula to the other unsuspecting team. Turns out, she is the girlfriend of the man he is working for, does love rekindle between them or are they just playing each other, that is the million dollar question. 
 

The rugs are pulled every now and then till the all revealing climax – the problem of digging holes too deep means that it is that much more difficult to get out of it. Everything works so smoothly and accurately for 

Nicky, including a bullet that his invincibility makes him lose his credibility as a conman. 

Individually, the actors fare quite decently but the chemistry lacks the spark.  Will Smith as the conman puts his best foot forward and Margot Robbie not only looks stunning but she is also a reasonably good actress. 

Focus is a film that belongs to the ‘timepass’ category.

Published in The Navhind Times, Goa on 15th March 2015

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Film Review - Wolf of Wall Street

                                                    

Money For Nothing 

Film: The Wolf of Wall Street

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Duration: 2 hrs 54 mins

Rating: *  *  *  *

Based on a book by Jordan Belfort (inspired by his own true story) The Wolf of Wall Street, to begin with, proves that director Martin Scorsese is on the top of his game. A film of this caliber had to be made by someone special and Scorsese has delivered the knockout punch.

It also has a superb screenplay by television writer Terence Winter and even though the film clocks three hours (six minutes have been chopped off by the censors), they are the breeziest three hours you’ve encountered at the cinemas in a while. This is one helluva trip.  

Jordan (Leonardo DiCaprio) was just an ordinary guy till he got a break on Wall street as a dealer. Soon he branched off and started on his own and with a motley crue, it didn’t take him long to climb the ladder. Their modus operandi was simple – sell penny stocks to unsuspecting clients and make money. Soon he had so much that didn’t know what to do with it.

Apart from the love of money, there were other serious vices as well – drugs and women. In the form of tablets or powder Jordan was addicted to it and he also left his first wife and married a pretty woman (Margot Robbie). The chickens had to come to roost and greed may be good, but not for long as finally, the long arm of the law catches up with him.

Reflecting the high that Jordan has all the time, the pace of the film is relentless and every scene exudes so much energy. Scorsese has also laced it with humor which is not necessarily meant to be funny-you may let out a chuckle but the irony of the situation at times goes beyond the obvious humor. And that’s where Scorsese might also be trying to make a point about the perils of a fast life. He also doesn’t pass any judgment on the characters - it is all there for the audience to see.  

We don’t really know how much of Jordan’s claims are true and about the accuracy of what has been depicted. But that aside, what we do know is that Scorsese has made a film that will stay with you for a long time and you wouldn’t mind watching it again to admire his art.

Margot Robbie (who was also noticed in About Time recently) as the trophy wife not only looks pretty but acts with confidence. Jonah Hill as Jordan’s partner is aptly cast and the other supporting actors like Jean Dujardin and Matthew McConaughey make their presence felt. The film is also a triumph for Leonardo DiCaprio who has given an outstanding performance. Surely he is in the race for the Oscars with this film, not that it matters a lot.

The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the best films in recent times, don’t miss it.  

Published in The Navhind Times on 5th Jan 2014

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