Matchstick Men (2003) 8/10

Lie Cheat Steal Rinse Repeat

Based on the book: Matchstick Men: A novel about grifters with issues by Eric Garcia

Director: Ridley Scott

Cinematography: John Mathieson

Screenplay: Nicholas Griffin & Ted Griffin

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman

Rating PG-13
Country: USA
Language: English

Review:

Roy (Nicolas Cage) is an OCD-afflicted con artist, aided by his friend and protégé Frank (Sam Rockwell). After dropping his anxiety pills into the kitchen sink, Roy has a particularly bad panic attack which leads to him having to see a psychiatrist. The therapy results in him discovering that he has a 14-year old daughter (Alison Lohman), who ends up taking a little too much interest into her father’s profession.

I have to admit I wasn’t expecting much more than a crappy, cliché comedy. I was surprised when the credits showed up with Ridley Scott’s name as director, and even more so when the movie started to unravel into an amazingly well-played movie. Scott’s directing is completely ace, the characters are very real and endearing. I especially liked Cage’s performance, his tics and quirks are very tastefully presented and not exaggerated. Lohman is also very credible in her role as a 14 year old girl, even though she was twenty-two at the time of the shooting. Bitter-sweet twist at the end leaves no room for disappointment.

This movie definitely gets 8 flim-flam men out of ten.

Links:

- Official Website
- IMDb link
- Theatrical Trailer
- Rent it on NetFlix
- Buy it on Amazon