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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
Matchstick Men
the one line review:
Oceans Eleven on a smaller scale
the overview
Nicolas Cage isn't the greatest actor in the world, but then I guess that's what makes Hollywood Heroes. He's been the same person in virtually all of his films (from Con Air to Face Off) and he's pretty wooden. This role is different for him, er... kinda.
the plot:
Niccy Cage and Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile) are two conmen doing small time cons bringing in some chump change. Turns out Cage is a complete looney - having serious agoraphobia and twitchyness, as well as a compulsion for cleaning. Needs to take lots of pills. Rockwell is a lot more chilled out, bit of a joker blah blah etc. Right, so Cage goes to a shrink to sort out his problems, and starts recounting the story of his ex-wife and possible child. Cue child turning up to say hi to Dad. Magically this inspires him to lose his twitchyness and he conspires to pull off the biggest job of his life. Complications arise, he uses his daughter in it, and things goes wrong. Gets away with it until the victim comes back, and daughter ends up shooting victim. Mr Cage sorts it all out and they all live happily ever after.
Well not really because there's an awesome (if a little predictable) twist at the end. 'Nuff said.
the verdict:
It's pretty good. Cage does well as the looneybin twitcher who's mentally unhinged. It also has a big moral and after what happens happens, he's magically transformed into a normal human being. Hurrah. Rockwell is pretty good in it, and there are some nice moments. Also the father/daughter relationship thing is done well and is quite heart warming in places (very The Family Man, also starring Nicolas Cage...).
Trouble is... it just lacks something. For starters it's hard to get to grips with Cage's character - because he's this obsessive compulsive who needs everything to be clean (a la Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets) yet he's a heavy chain smoker. I don't really buy that. The daughter Angela (Alison Lohman), whilst being quite fit in places is a little over the top. Cute, but over the top. And whilst the bonding between them is fun, the way he uses her in the con is a little unbelievable. Maybe I'm being too critical - it just didn't have the same panache as Ocean's Eleven, even though there very similar films in style.
This is definitely a BBuster rental with a bag of popcorn and a 6er of XXXX. Not a bad film to watch after something else, especially if it was a bit too serious or creepy, like 21 Grams...
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