Matchstick Men

Review by Clint Morris

Nicolas Cage says he does his movies in threes. He does three big-budget actioners, three comedies and then three anomalous almost-art house efforts.

Matchstick Men fits in half-way through the latter itinerary.

In this one, he plays a phobia-addled con artist, who's a jump and a step away from completing the biggest score of his life, when his estranged daughter [Alison Lohmann] arrives on the scene, only to mess up the plans.

As entertaining a film as Matchstick Men is, some are likely to be disappointed by the inconsequential, rather generic script.

Frankly, it's been done to death, and besides a knockout performance by Nicolas Cage, there isn't much new here to see.

Bluntly, one's a little astounded what actually appealed to director Ridley Scot, Cage, Alison Lohmann and Sam Rockwell [who is very underutilised] here. Even from the inset, it's not something that's going to bring the house down.

While the template is a little bushed, the performances most certainly aren't. Cage is at his weird and wonderful best as the kooky crook, mannerisms down pat and all, whilst rising newcomer Alison Lohmann [White Oleander] gives a rousing turn as his 14 year old daughter/sidekick.

Matchstick Men won't set the world on fire, probably not even the majority of the audience you'll see it with will be, but for a couple of great turns, it's worth a look.

3 out of 5

Matchstick Men
Australian release: Thursday October 2nd
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce McGill, Bruce Altman.
Director: Ridley Scott.
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