Cert 15
105 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, violence, sex, sex references
I know it's an easy line but Focus really does lack..errr...focus.
Yes, it's clever and, yes, it's chic but more is needed to make a compelling movie. Frankly, its storyline is disjointed and I struggled to relate to its characters.
And this was shame because Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's film should have been right up my alley. I tend to enjoy cerebral thrillers.
It certainly had decent ingredients. Will Smith plays a hustler who, in the words of Focus's publicity poster, 'never drops the con'.
He enlists into his team, a beautiful wannabee (Margot Robbie) who has hands which are just as fast as his.
Thus, they and Smith's team of fleecers, set about ripping off those with deep pockets.
Except that it is never quite clear where the con ends and where reality begins.
Smith plays the type of character for which he has become famous: as quick with his tongue as he is with his fingers. Robbie is a decent foil - distracting their targets with her beauty.
But, despite it promising set-up Focus doesn't deliver the punch it should because its plot not only becomes unbelievable but also leaves more questions than answers.
Apparently, the budget of Focus was $50 million - I can think of so many better ways to have spent that money.
Will Smith: "The backdrop of these cons is beautiful and artistic but never in a way that overtakes the fun of watching these people struggle with life."
Reasons to watch: The people are pretty and the action is quick
Reasons to avoid: Loss of focus and plot holes.
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 5.5/10