Matchstick Men

  Plot Summary

Roy (Nicolas Cage) and Frank (Sam Rockwell) are clever con artists working together to rip off the unwary. Their latest scam is to trick people by telling them that they have won fabulous prizes.

As well as trying to separate people from their cash Roy has the further complication of trying to keep body, mind and soul together! He is a neurotic with an obsessive compulsive disorder and a fear of dirt and open spaces. When he accidentally washes his tablets down the sink he starts to "lose the plot" and his partner, Frank, organises an appointment with a psychoanalyst. Frank likes things organised but when his estranged 14 year old daughter arrives on the scene things get very disorganised...

Review

From the director of Gladiator and Black Hawk Down, Ridley Scott, this is a little different. With a small cast, no big scenes, explosions or special effects the emphasis in this film is very much on character rather than story. The plot, which has a few holes, might be lacking in detail but there is plenty of character and great dialogue. Nicolas Cage is brilliant in the role of Frank and portrays the idiosyncrasies of the character very well. The dialogue between his partner Frank and, in particular, his daughter played by Alison Lohman is great. In spite of his chosen profession you can't help liking the guy and hoping that it works out for him in the end! There is good support from Sam Rockwell and Alison Lohman.

One of the drawbacks of the film is that the "twist" at the end is predictable. There is one particular part that gives-the-game-away, far too early, and the element of surprise is lost. Also, because the film is character driven it is a little uneventful at times. One part shows Frank chain-smoking in his car for several minutes.

There are plenty of quirky funny bits in the film most surrounding the idiosyncrasies of Frank's condition, like his obsession for cleaning, but there are also some witty lines that are quite clever.

The Bottom Line:  An entertaining scam-movie with a difference. Thin on story; big on character.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2004

Genre: Quirky scam movie

Certificate: 12's

Director: Ridley Scott

~ Main Cast ~

Nicolas Cage

Sam Rockwell

Alison Lohman

Bruce Altman

RATING

WORTH A WATCH