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Matchstick Men
2003
Roy Waller (Nicolas Cage) is a conman and trickster who has had to overcome enormous problems with obsessive-compulsive disorder in order to stay on top of his game. His partner in crime, Frank Mercer (Sam Rockwell), helps him run a daily business conning housewives out of their money with telephone scams. Frank is frustrated .. Read more
| Starring | Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce Altman |
|---|---|
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Matchstick Men
Roy Waller (Nicolas Cage) is a conman and trickster who has had to overcome enormous problems with obsessive-compulsive disorder in order to stay on top of his game. His partner in crime, Frank Mercer (Sam Rockwell), helps him run a daily business conning housewives out of their money with telephone scams. Frank is frustrated with their small-fry clientele however, and urges Roy to look for bigger business ventures. Roy resists Frank's urges, and instead leads a bizarre existence in which he is completely dominated by his compulsions to clean, eat canned tuna every night, and open his front door three times before he can walk through it. His world is turned upside down, however, when he starts seeing a shrink who helps Roy to get in touch with his missing 14-year-old daughter, Angela (Alison Lohman). Angela soon becomes embroiled in Roy and Frank's scams, pushing Roy to take on a grandiose scheme that could give them financial security for the rest of their lives.
Directed by Ridley Scott, this fast-paced crime drama takes several twists and turns as it works its way towards a surprising conclusion. Cage is perfectly cast as the con artist beset by neuroses and family problems, and has an excellent foil in the younger, more abrasive Rockwell. Weaving a tale of trust, family, friendship and deceit, director Scott utilises the talents of his actors to delve into complicated themes, resulting in a breathtaking film in which nothing can be taken for granted.
| Starring | Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce Altman |
|---|---|
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 51 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | French, Italian |
| Hearing-impaired | English, Italian |
| Subtitles | DVD: Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Released | DVD: 20 Feb 2004 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Closer in scale and spirit to Thelma and Louise than his recent range of ambitious widescreen spectacles, this crime comedy drama from director Ridley Scott is a low-key movie with a high-profile lead. Nicolas Cage plays an experienced conman who is also afflicted by an obsessive-compulsive disorder that makes him nervous, disorientated and a cleanliness freak. The fact that this is utterly at odds with his lifestyle choice does stretch credibility, but it also allows Scott and his technical crew to indulge in all sorts of appropriately edgy cuts and compositions. The story really begins when Cage and partner Sam Rockwell embark on a high-stakes scam, just as the former discovers he has a bright teenage daughter (an eye-catching Alison Lohman). The bonding scenes, as dad lightens up and passes on some basic scamming skills, are played beautifully, yet the script cheapens this sharp Paper Moon-ish setup with a predictable con of its own. Great cast, weak payoff.
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Roy may be a successful con artist, but the man has problems. Plagued by the ritualistic symptoms of obsessive... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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25 out of 29 people found this review helpful
One of the best movies of 2003 somehow bypassed everyone at the cinema and arrives on DVD with critical aplomb. Ridley Scott's heist-cum-family drama sees neurotic con-man Nicolas Cage discovering he has a daughter (Lohman, excellent playing a 14 year old - she's 24 in real life) and must change his life when she comes to live with him. The performances are spot on and, if Rockwell is a little underused, the script has plenty of twists and turns. Essential viewing.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Well Done Ridley!
Ridley Scott should stick to making little gems like this, instead of big budget, box office bonanza's!!
This film is great,the amazing Nic Cage is the con-man with a compulsive neuro-disorder and without a heart only to find he has a heart. The fantastic Sam Rockwell is the young crazy cool protege!
The film starts off a little slow but gathers pace to leave you reeling at the end.
The clever twist left me a little sad and angry, only because I had got so involved with the characters.
The chemistry between cage and Lohman (the daughter character) is very special. And it is true that the film doesn't leave you for at least a couple of days after watching!
If you like crime-capers with a heart you WILL like this. Rent this title!!! -
News and features
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Drag Me To Hell
- 01 Jun 2009
After too long in the blockbuster business – taking great responsibility for the Spider-Man trilogy – Sam Raimi returns to what he does best: which is being very, very bad. Evil Dead fans are going to flip for this. It’s a mean little shocker and as funny as hell. In her best role since Matchstick Men, Alison Lohman is Christine, a loans officer at a bank. As the posters very succinctly put it: “Christine Brown has a good job, a great boyfriend, and a bright future. But Read more
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