Focus Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Focus Blu-ray Movie Review

"I once convinced a man that an empty warehouse was the federal reserve, so I'm good."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown May 29, 2015

A note to filmmakers: titling a movie with a potential critical pun invites the wrath of all too pleased-with-themselves critics. Look no farther than cinema's latest victim, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's Focus, a solid, smartly penned, wonderfully unpredictable con within a con some loved but some were quick to dismiss with a pithy "it lacks... focus!" Cue smoky comedy club rimshot. The irony is Focus is extremely focused, perhaps too focused, using slick sleight of hand, pickpocketing plot points, and taking advantage of every gullible mark in the audience. And therein lies Ficarra and Requa's second non-problem, one that extends beyond disgruntled critics. No one likes being duped. We think we do. We think we love when a movie gets one over on us, and sometimes we do. ("I see dead people!" "Keyser Söze!" "What's in the box?!") More often than not, we shake our fists at the heavens. Too contrived! Came out of nowhere! Doesn't make sense! And sometimes that's true too. But when a good flick twists when we think it should turn, jukes right instead of left, alters the way we see previously likable characters, especially when it's at our expense, we balk, assuming the fault lies with the filmmaker rather than our own expectations. Well, Focus got one over on me. Several times. It twisted every time I thought it would turn, favored right every time my mind barked left, challenged who I warmed to and who I didn't, and I loved it. Not quite as much on my first viewing as my second, or my third, but I loved it. Ficarra and Requa haven't delivered the second coming of the great con-man classic, but they've brought their patented wit, flow and cool-cat ease to the genre. Divisive? Apparently. Entertaining? Absolutely.

When seasoned master of misdirection Nicky Spurgeon (Will Smith) becomes unexpectedly and romantically involved with novice con artist Jess Barrett (Margot Robbie), teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort. After a successful multi-million dollar con, Nicky abruptly breaks off their partnership. Three years later, his former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit at the side of billionaire Rafael Garriga (Rodrigo Santoro). But while battling old feelings, dodging Garriga's chief of security (Gerald McRaney), and pursuing multiple angles, his plans are thrown for a loop. Soon the consummate con artist finds himself off his game.

Refreshingly free of the Smithisms of the '90s and early '00s, Focus' Will Smith -- reserved and in full control of his craft -- is one cool customer, far less interested in positioning Nicky as a force of manipulative nature through one-liners and oh-snap comebacks than in digging deep and figuring out what makes his damaged career con tick. A fear of commitment. Family. A neglectful father. Vulnerability. Feelings best left suppressed in his corner of the criminal underworld. Smith's chemistry with Robbie is just as electrifying, giving the film jolt after jolt that sends it scurrying out of the genre's boy club and gives equal play to Jess. Robbie, in turn, sells every pickpocket and con, of her design or his, and leaves you intrigued but genuinely scratching your head. Is Jess trying to one-up Nicky? Get revenge? Is she really smitten or is it all a part of some elaborate long con? Is Nicky ever honest? How much is impulse, how much is planning? Is he falling for her? Running circles? Getting lost in his own lies? Focus is divided into two distinct halves, as are Smith and Robbie's performances. It's that much harder to get a bead on either one, but multiple viewings quickly reveal just how much of a handle the actors and filmmakers had on the script, the story as it unfolds, and each layer of the movie's many cons.

Don't be surprised if you get a Prestige vibe from Focus. Nolan's 2006 film presents the very structure it's about to spend two hours embracing -- the Pledge, Turn and Prestige -- at the outset, just like Ficarra and Requa's third feature lays out everything you need to know, all the context you'll require, from the beginning. The rest is a matter of sitting back and watching a few talented magicians do their thing. You know you're not privy to all the information. You know illusion is the name of the game. You know the riddles are as important as the answers. So why try to piece it all together? The thrill of figuring it out before anyone else, sure. But there's more fun to be had if you let go, enjoy the ride, then work back through to see if Focus adds up as much as its third act suggests. As much as its third act does. When Ficarra and Requa draw attention to their right hand, they steal with their left. When they bump your shoulder, they're slipping your wallet out of your jeans. When they brush your hair, they're swiping your watch. From start to finish, Focus is as much about following each con as it is about being conned, and it always seems to be one step ahead of its audience, right up through the last ace it slips out of its sleeve. (The immediate plot hole you'll assume this ace-reveal opens isn't a plot hole at all. Watch the hotel scene that will come to mind again. You'll know the one. That nagging little plot hole closes right up and brings with it a respect for the intricacy of the endgame.)

Will everyone be as jazzed by Focus' gamesmanship? No. Our own Brian Orndorf felt quite differently. But that doesn't make either of us right. I was swindled and had a blast. He was swindled and didn't. God bless the movies. One man's cheap trick is another man's master con. But watch it, decide for yourself, then join the conversation. What else are we all here for, other than a love of all things cinema?

Focus Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Focus comes into focus nicely (puns!) with an excellent 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation perfectly faithful to cinematographer Xavier Pérez Grobet's richly colored, starkly contrasted, heist-noir aesthetic. Though blue and green tints dominate the palette, skintones remain beautifully saturated throughout, black levels are thick and inky (with only the mildest crush that thankfully doesn't amount to a distraction), and what little noise that appears is inherent to the source, nothing more. Detail is strong too, without anything in the way of macroblocking, banding, aliasing or other such issues. Edge definition is nice and clean (no significant ringing to be found) and fine textures are refined and filmic, as is the smooth grain present in the image. All told, Focus looks terrific.

Focus Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release of Focus features an equally impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. Its quality isn't always glaringly obvious, as the film's sound design exercises restraint as often as it does a flair for the dramatic, but there aren't any issues to speak of. Dialogue is clear, intelligible and neatly prioritized, and effects are crisp and playful. LFE output lays down a nice, weighty beat, with solid low-end support (a third act car accident hits hard), and rear speaker activity is engaging and enveloping, creating a full, immersive soundfield with pinpoint directionality and slick cross-channel pans. (The football game is a real 360-degree treat.) Bottom line, Focus' AV presentation is the highlight of the disc.

Focus Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Masters of Misdirection: The Players in a Con (HD, 10 minutes): The art of pickpocketing, scamming, and the professional con, as learned by the cast and filmmakers with the help of a special consultant.
• Character Featurettes (HD, 10 minutes): Two character featurettes are available, "Gentleman Thief," which focuses on Will Smith's Nicky Spurgeon, and "Stealing Hearts," with Margot Robbie's Jess Barrett.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 8 minutes): Smart cuts make up this hit or miss selection of scenes.
• Alternate Opening (HD, 3 minutes): A fun alternate opening centered around a jewelry heist.

Focus Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Focus may split viewers but I ate it up, and didn't mind being an easy mark for Ficarra and Requa. Smith and Robbie deliver, the directors' writing is sharp, and the film has as much fun running cons as it does delighting in their details. Warner's Blu-ray release is terrific too, minus its slim supplemental package, which doesn't offer a lot. The disc's video presentation and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track make up for any disappointment, though, and leave little to complain about. This one comes recommended.