Matchstick Men is the story of two con artists who decided to set up a major sting. It is also the story of a man struggling with major neuroses (think Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt). It is also the story of a man who learns to love a young girl who claims to be his 14-year old daughter.At the center of all three stories is Roy Waller, the veteran con man played by Nicolas Cage. Nicolas Cage has some limitations as an actor. If you saw him struggling with his Italian accent in Captain Corelli's Mandolin you know what I'm talking about. In spite of his limitations, he has turned into a major star and leading man with more than forty films to his credit. He has played the romantic lead in City of Angels and Moonstruck, the action hero in Con Air, Face Off, and The Rock. He won an Academy Award for his stunning performance as a despondent alcoholic in Leaving Las Vegas. Some of his best work comes when he is playing offbeat characters in movies like Raising Arizona or Peggy Sue Got Married. His performance in Matchstick Men resembles a "best of" collection that draws on strengths from many of his greatest performances.His character here is charming, quirky, witty, at points almost helpless, and at other points determined and driven. This is a great performance by a seasoned veteran. This is also an outstanding directorial achievement for Ridley Scott. Scott was the director of Gladiator, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, and Thelma and Louise. This film is very different from his previous works in theme, scope, and tone.When I saw the previews, I was afraid that I had already seen the best pieces and that this film would become another predictable formula film with a few innovations thrown in. I was wrong. The story is clever and original and Scott does a masterful job of weaving together the different elements into a cohesive and engaging story.Throughout the story we learn about the science of the con, but somewhere in the middle we move from con science to conscience when we learn that Cage's neuroses are a result of a nagging conscience and his own sense of failure. He has been quite successful as a con artist but his failed relationships make him a deeply troubled man with more than a few tics and quirks.I do have a minor criticism, but it has more to do with a larger trend in Hollywood-ubiquitous product placement. A number of brand names are prominently featured during the film, and I'm sure the companies paid handsomely to have their products featured. In an era when we name public schools after corporations and products, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's bad enough that I have to sit through commercials before the film, I shouldn't have to seem them during the film too. That minor criticism aside, this is a film that is definitely worth a look. In the beginning, the film looks like just another "clever caper" film, but by the time I reached the final credits, I saw a charming film about redemption, forgiveness, and grace.

I think for most viewers, you'll either like this flick or hate it. I'm still trying to resolve my feeling over the way the con played out against Roy Waller by the time it was all over. That's not to say I'm expressing sympathy for Nicolas Cage's character, he was a serial extortionist and con man who deserved what he got, but I felt huge betrayal on the part of his partner Frank Mercer (Sam Rockwell), and just about as much for the phony 'daughter' Angela (Alison Lohman). You really have to be pathological to do what those two did to Waller, not to mention the psychiatrist Dr. Klein (Bruce Altman). Now that I think about it, maybe he wasn't even a psychiatrist at all, and just another con artist with a good line analyzing Roy Waller. But then the picture took it a step further with a contrived ending in which Waller gets to confront Angela a year later. Like he was really going to go straight and sell carpeting for a living, yeah right. The dynamic between himself and Angela at that point was entirely not credible. So if the intent of the film makers was to con the viewer, I guess it worked, because I felt like I was bilked out of a million dollars myself, not to mention a couple of hours viewing time.

Greetings from Lithuania."Matchstick Men" (2003) is simply a great movie by a great Ridley Scott. It is as much about con as well the ones who are doing them. Acting was fantastic by all involved. Script is very smart, and i mean not just about cons - it was clearly written by a smart people. Directing was top - notch, movie is expertly paced and at running time 1 h 50 min it never drags and is entertaining and involving from start till finish. Overall, "Matchstick Men" is a great movie. It is funny, but it's not a straightforward comedy. It is a very good, good feel movie.

As Ridley Scott movies go, "Matchstick Men" is a small one. There aren't any replicants, gladiators or xenomorphs, but it's still a good bit of fun. Sam Rockwell's involved, so the cast is great by default, but Alison Lohman's no slouch. And Nicolas Cage wrings every laugh possible from his OCD tics. But it's a con artist movie (damn good one, too) and just when you think you've got it pegged as a sweet father/daughter story, up is suddenly down and you've been had this entire time. And it's not a cheap swindle, but one that definitely pays off in the end. The twists are well staged and the sentiment is genuine. Great movie.8/10