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Underrated "Matchstick" Strikes Big
by Timothy (movies profile)
May 2, 2007
9
of
11 people found this review helpful
I just picked up "Matchstick Men" on DVD because this is a film I had previously seen in the theater. This is one of those flicks that reinforces greatness when I go back for seconds, so here is the review of a film that made my Top 10 of the year list.
"Matchstick Men" is one of those films that came out at the wrong time and received the wrong reputation. This is a film that would fall under the crime genre, yet takes things to a deeper level. Instead of engaging the audience in identifying the killer, or trying to figure out who is playing who, "Matchstick Men" spends its time attaching the audience to its characters. Are there twists and turns? Maybe, but I was so into these characters that plot twists were not my prime concern. Sure suspense played a part, but once that scene was over, it was long forgotten because I cared so much about the relationships in this film.
The performances are amazing here. Nicholas Cage really needs some credit here. Yes, he did a stinker of a war film called, "Windtalkers", and yes he pulled a crappy, fake Italian accent in "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", but he has talent and one can't deny that. After pulling off one of the best performances of last year as a pair of identical twins in "Adaptation", Cage scores again as an obsessive compulsive con man. Not only is Cage a scene-stealer, but so is Allison Lohman as Cage's 14 year-old daughter. I have not seen an actress bring so much lovable charm to every scene as opposed to being that one-dimensional teenage character. That may have something to do with the fact that Lohman is 24 years old in real life, but man, she really had me convinced. I do not feel so guilty now saying that Lohman is quite a cutie.
Enough already! I have heard opposing views, but there is no doubt in my mind when I recommend this film. Director Ridley Scott takes a break from the big-budget action he brought us in "Gladiator" and gets in touch with his "Thelma and Louise" roots by bringing us a touching flick about crime and relationships. Go rent this one. |
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