The film “Matchstick Men” can be described in many different ways.
At times, it’s a mildly goofy comedy about Roy (Nicolas Cage), a con artist with a large assortment of nervous ticks and obsessive behaviors, who routinely goes through massive cleaning sprees, multiple lock checks and repetitive food purchases, all while scamming people out of their money with the help of his partner, Frank, played by Sam Rockwell.
It also can be described as a heartfelt drama. Early on in the film, Roy comes to know his 14-year-old daughter, Angela (Alison Lohman). Oftentimes, Roy has to choose between the security of his “business” and the relationship he is trying to develop with Angela. Can a man who can’t handle an open door without twitching nervously handle all that comes with having a teenaged daughter?
Ridley Scott directs this 116-minute lighthearted crime comedy that was a far better film than what was presented in the trailer. Luckily, it adds to Scott’s list of enjoyable films like “Gladiator” or “Aliens,” instead of putting another credit on his less-than-remarkable list of works such as “Hannibal,” “Black Rain” or “1492.” The film has an interesting editing style that kept it going at a nice pace.
It was fun watching obsessive-compulsive Roy lose complete control of his immaculate house to his less-than-tidy daughter, as well as see some of the interesting and lucrative ways someone can con people out of their money. The three main characters play well off each other throughout the film, even during some of its weaker moments.
Although it was an enjoyable film, “Matchstick Men” probably is not one that will be remembered for too terribly long. It wasn’t Cage’s best work, but at the same time, it wasn’t even close to his worst, either. It’s definitely worth the price of admission, as long as you aren’t expecting an action-packed blockbuster, even though the last third of the film takes a surprisingly twisted tone for such a solidly PG-13 movie.
With a great cast of characters, amusing gags and a few mild twists in the second half,
“Matchstick Men” is a film that stands on its own. Yet at the same time, it’s one of those movies that won’t be hard to sit through, but once it’s over, might still be easy to forget.