In the midst of veteran con man Nicky's latest scheme, a woman from his past - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up and throws his plans for a loop.
Don't expect this con-artist flick to break the mould. Do expect lots of splashy glamour, a few neat twists and a radiant Robbie.
Hitch meets The Sting. This is maximum-gloss entertainment with its fair share of tricksy rug-pulls. But, like one of the neon-coloured cocktails Smith drinks in it, it’s more of an immediate rush than something you’ll remember in a year.
Gorgeous actors? Check. Extraordinarily furnished interiors? Check. This could have been a defining grifter flick – if they had cut the final third.
Focus is simply one of those empty, know-it-all tales about grifters working scams, and each other, wrapped around an equally vapid love story.
An ill-judged star vehicle that barely makes it out of the pit lane.
It passes in a blur of dullness.
The film overall, though, is ultimately as tricksy and superficial as its characters.
Smith looks impressive every time he removes his shirt but the film is slight and silly.
This sub Ocean’s Eleven-style con movie acknowledges all the genre clichés without subverting any of them.
Smith and Robbie have strong chemistry and there are some well constructed set-pieces.
Flimsy doesn’t begin to cover it, although Adrian Martinez has fun in a sidekick role, of which he makes the scene-stealing most.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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