Focus

I quite enjoyed the first half of the film, before the entire plot shifts three years forward. But then it started to become incredibly predictable, catering to the fact that Will Smith is in it and that the plot just couldn't afford to experiment a bit. Yes, he isn't a classic good guy, but his character is still clichéd, as is the whole story. At times it's sexy, but at other times it was a struggle for me, especially from a screenwriting perspective. (26/06/2015)

Yesterday I wouldn't have believed myself to go to the cinema to see a film with the label comedy/crime/romance/drama and today I feel like going to see it again, because I haven't seen a more entertaining film since Kingsman this year. Incredibly funny, entertaining, well acted, very cleverly written and damn stylish. The whole thing is one big con that fucks with everyone in the film as well as the viewer and it works out great. The whole organization works more than successfully, Will Smith gives the ultimate performance, I don't remember him in this form, and the final twist is one of the best I've ever had the chance to see. It's an adrenaline rush that you instantly fall in love with and love the film immediately. You won't find a more beautiful and entertaining film involving thievery, pickpocketing and fraud. A gem. 100%. (08/03/2015)

A pleasant, genre hybrid with interesting twists and great actors. Smith was in desperate need for a come-back, and if it wasn’t for that (over the top) final twist, it would have worked. However, Margot Robbie confirms her abilities and comes across as a talented actress who has more to her than “just" the luck of catching Scorsese’s eye. A visual feast for the eyes. (21/06/2015)

Focus has one great advantage: it is entertaining and unpredictable in its heist plot twists. And it’s also visually beautiful. The costumes, set designs and everything else are glamorously polished to the finest detail. Will Smith and Margot Robbie are cool, the point of the American football scene is top notch. Only the climax loses credibility in its effort to conjure up the biggest and most surprising twist yet. Less would have been more. Despite that, I’m giving this film four stars because it was a pleasant surprise, a rare sight among Hollywood mainstream flicks with lower ambitions. (17/03/2015)

Focus is unpredictable in key twists, so different from most heist films, which often rely on meticulous visuals and period hits, but go forward with a smile and in clearly laid tracks. There is plenty of gloss here too, but you never know what card the main characters will turn over. It's a shame about the ending, which very far from believable. Because as long as stayed within the acceptable, it was a great thing with a contemporary atmosphere and downtempo music that looks and sounds fantastic on the big screen. (01/06/2015)