I agree with Bill Maher: this summer there is more testosterone driven crap (BAD BOYS 2, TOMB RAIDER 2, TERMINATOR 3 [Click to see Silman's review of that film] are a few hideous examples) served out by the 30 something "suits" who now run the studios than ever before! Their reasoning is simple: they make 60% of their bread from the sale of DVD's to the murder and mayhem loving, "don't make me think" 16-25 year old crowd! As a result, one can't really blame the powers that be for continuing to "dumb down America" in their pursuit of big bucks. Of course, this means that it's almost impossible to find a well-written, entertaining, thoughtful film. That's why MATCHSTICK MEN and SEABISCUIT (my next review) are both a breath of fresh air in the stagnant filth that is Hollywood. Don't get me started or I will say what I really think!

Having got that off my chest, let me say that this is the best written script I have seen this year, with numerous twists and turns, many of which I cannot divulge. I have always enjoyed watching films about conmen, being a bit of one myself - what good self-respecting actor is not! THE STING and THE USUAL SUSPECTS spring to mind. Here Ridley Scott frames his story in middle class Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley with stylistic moody photography and Frank Sinatra/Bobby Darren hits.              

His main protagonist (Nicholas Cage) suffers from obsessive-compulsive behavior syndrome - with tics galore, mannerisms (he always bangs the front door open or closed three times), and weird habits (often his dinner is a single can of tuna eaten straight from the tin).

All these disappear when he works with his redneck partner (Sam Rockwell), who compliments him brilliantly. They make a good living conning wives into buying water purification systems behind their husband's backs for about $700. They then pose as two F.B.I. agents "chasing" the criminals who talk the enraged husband into giving them access to his joint family account, which they then proceed to clean out!

The Cage character wants out and is ready to retire as he has been a "matchstick man" for about 20 years and has about $1 million stashed away in a safe deposit box at his bank. Rockwell talks him into going for one last big score worth about $80,000, to con a high rolling entrepreneur, well played by Bruce McGill. At the same time Cage gets a phone call from the daughter he never knew he had, who against her mother's (his estranged ex-wife) wishes finally wants to make contact with him. They meet several times and after a very shaky start, considering his many neuroses, they bond as father and daughter. He admits his profession, and even trains her as a con artist, at which she proves surprisingly adept. Much to the chagrin of his partner, he includes her as the "diversion" in their con, which is successful despite their mark almost catching them after the switch. My lips are sealed as to what transpires afterwards. Suffice to say the story has many twists and turns before its satisfactory ending.

Rockwell and Lohman are excellent in their respective roles. Cage, who can sometimes be irritating, does some of his best work under Scott's sure direction, not over-doing his obsessive-compulsive tics, and even timing some of them superbly to comic effect.         

This is a terrific script, wonderfully filmed and acted, with comedy and drama equally blended - the best film of the summer so far, with SEABISCUIT a respectable second.

Matchstick Men
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