Rating: 
Summary: A well-crafted film character-driven story about con artists
Review: Nicolas Cage plays Roy, a master con-artist handicapped by a constellation of psychological problems, including agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Professional success has given him a nice home and car and plenty of money, but he's friendless, has no family, and cannot seem to connect with anyone except his protege, Frank (Sam Rockwell), who wants Roy to put together an ambitious swindle so they can make a big score together. Roy's life is further complicated by a psychiatrist (Bruce Altman) who forces him to confront his own guilt, and by his effort to build a belated relationship with the abandoned daughter he never knew (Alison Lohman).Enter a wealthy, unscrupulous mark (Bruce McGill) who's a prime target for Frank & Roy's scam, and all the ingredients are at hand for this unique grifter tale adapted by Nicholas & Ted Griffin from the book by Eric Garcia. The story has nearly as many twists and turns as Mamet's HOUSE OF GAMES and THE SPANISH PRISONER, but there is more to it than the ingeniously entertaining plot. It may be a dark comedy that tickles the intellect, and yet the movie never fails to regard Roy seriously. The story reveals surprising emotional and spiritual depth in exploring Roy's confrontation with karma and quest for redemption. By suffering the consequences of his choices-and accepting responsibility for them-he discovers the power of forgiveness to radically transform his life. Nicolas Cage is at his best as Roy, pulling off an impressive balancing act to create a sympathetic and fully-human character from material that in lesser hands might be mired in derivative mediocrity. The supporting cast is equally good, with not one sour note among the players. Rockwell gives his best performance since GALAXY QUEST. Newcomer Lohman shows star potential in her convincing portrayal of a girl little more than half her real age. Altman is perfect as the psychiatrist, and Bruce McGill once more demonstrates why he is the heir-apparent to the late J.T. Walsh as the consummate character actor. Director Ridley Scott, of course, is one of the few great masters of cinema. His artist's eye has given us such landmark films as THE DUELLISTS, ALIEN, and BLADE RUNNER. In recent years he has de-emphasized the breathtaking imagery that established his reputation and now employs his impeccable filmcraft in the service of more apparently conventional Hollywood-type movies-i.e. THELMA AND LOUISE, GLADIATOR, and BLACK HAWK DOWN. With MATCHSTICK MEN, he reinterprets the con-artist flick, a perennially popular sub-genre (THE STING, PAPER MOON). True to form, it is masterfully crafted. Cinematographer John Mathieson (GLADIATOR) and editor Dody Dorn (MEMENTO) share the credit, for every shot is impeccably framed, and the brilliant editing calls so little attention to itself that even Oscar overlooked it. In short, this is an unpretentious and deceptively unambitious movie that succeeds on every artistic level. The MPAA may not have deemed it Oscar worthy, but posterity may judge it more favorably than any of the films nominated for Best Picture this year. If you like tight plotting, good acting, subtle wit, splendid craftsmanship, memorable characters, and a story that rings emotionally true, you will probably like this movie as much as I did. Five solid stars.
Rating:
Summary: Matchstick Men - A fairly entertaining film!
Review: I found this movie to be a fairly entertaining one to watch as the plot of the movie is a well thought out one involving a few twists here and there all culminating in the ultimate con that was not predictable at all; my only regret is not having caught this one in the theaters. I've never really been a huge fan of Nicholas Cage but one cannot deny his versatility as an actor as he brings forth his extremely neurotic character in this film. Performance wise, Nicholas Cage, Sam Rockwell and newcomer Alison Lohman all deserve high praise for their individual and collective efforts in this film. Director Ridley Scott, best known for many great films such as "Alien," "Gladiator" and a whole horde of other outstanding films steps in to direct this film and once again his talents as a skillful director shine as he takes us through the somewhat convoluted script, never revealing too much until the right time. He deserves a great amount of credit for the success of this film. The Premise: Roy Waller (Nicholas Cage) is an extremely successful con man who has the home and the money to prove it however, he's also an extremely neurotic individual that had an unsuccessful relationship over fifteen years ago and hasn't attempted one since. He suddenly finds that he needs to get some new anti depressants but now he has to go to a new doctor to get them and this psychologists actually wants him to talk about his problems which leads to him having a "daughter." In comes Angela (Alison Lohman), his "daughter" and now he's a parent. What follows from there is a fairly entertaining film as we're treated to Nicholas Cage at his finest in portraying a lonely, neurotic man who suddenly has a daughter and still has his life as a con man to contend with... I would definitely recommend this film to any and all who enjoy a good con/comedy that will have you guessing the direction of the film all the way to its conclusion. {ssintrepid} Special Features: -Tricks of the Trade: Making Matchstick Men
-Follow the Director through and intimate day-to-day account of the filmmaking process
*Part I: Preproduction
*Part II: Production
*Part III: Postproduction
-Commentary by Director/Producer Ridley Scott, Writer Nicholas Griffin and Writer/Producer Ted Griffin
-Theatrical Trailer
Rating:
Summary: Cage is brilliant in a fun film with a few surprising twists
Review: Nicolas Cage has always been a fun actor to watch, and he plays his role here as the obsessive compulsive con artist brilliantly. The movie is truly one that surprised me with the ending, but also contained ultimately a solid set of values. The movie picks up with Cage going through his strange routines while his partner and he cook up scams to bilk unsuspecting people out of money. Cage has the presence and the acting skill to literally make you nervous and edgy while watching his neurotic habits and behavior play themselves out. After being on his own so long he reconnects with his long lost daughter, and his life begins to be pushed upside down as his carefully crafted routines are sidelined by this free spirited teen-ager suddenly thrust into his life. The sets and designs seem to be timeless and have almost a "60's" sort of feel to them, with the music fitting more cleanly into that era than present day Los Angeles. There is definitely a mood to this film that harkens back to the "rat pack" era, with an emphasis on style and a smooth flow. This is a welcome relief from the often loud and jarring soundtracks and cinematography of many of today's films. I don't want to spoil the rest of the plot, as you really should see this and enjoy the ride yourself, but will say that the film left me feeling satisfied and happy for the way it all turns out. Brilliant acting by Cage, and a fun story to follow.
Rating:
Summary: Great film!
Review: Matchstick men is a change of pace for director Ridley Scott's recent (and near future) work. After big, Oscar worthy blockbuster films like Gladiator, Hannibal and Black Hawk Down, he gives us this *little* film about con artists. Nicolas Cage gives a great performance as Roy, a con artist with obsessive compulsive disorder and a life trashed by divorce, who after visiting a new psychiatrist agrees to meet the daughter he has never met (played by the lovely Alison Lohman, don't be fooled - she plays 14, but she's actually 24!!). After spending some time with Angela, Roy decides to accept an offer from his partner (the always great Sam Rockwell) to con some guy out of a lot of money. However, as with most heist flicks, things are never what they seem to be and the con turns sour on Roy with unexpected results. The visuals, the dialogue, the acting and Hans Zimmer's score make this a must see. The only aspect of this film that I didn't enjoy was the ending (more like a coda), which seemed a bit forced and out of place (and pace) with the rest of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Fun flim-flam flick
Review: The versatile and adept Nicolas Cage is outstanding as obsessive compulsive con man Roy Waller in Matchstick Men. Cage, chock full of tics and spasms, and his grifting partner Frank, nicely played by Sam Rockwell (Green Mile and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) are small time California operators looking for a big score. When Cage accidently dumps the medication that keeps him on an even keel down the drain, he freaks out. Cage takes his partner's advice and sees a shrink. Cage, a divorcee, starts to settle down when he shockingly discovers that he has fathered a now 14 year old daughter. He opts to meet the girl, well acted by Alison Lohman, who proceeds to make Cage's life a tumultuous mess. Cage and Lohman actually start developing a close relationship with Cage teaching the girl the tricks of his trade. Ridley Scott, not known for lighter subject matter like this movie does a commendable job directing the film. The movie proceeds a tad slowly at points but concludes with a blindsiding yet satisfying twist.
Rating:
Summary: Cage and Rockwell knock this out of the park
Review: nothing weak about this nicely done movie directed by Ridley Scott of all people but it is enjoyable throughout. Cage(Adaptation) plays Roy who is a germaphobe and other things like being a conman. Nicley done character drawings. Sam Rockwell(Glory Daze) playing Frank is a standout and Alison Lohman(White Oleander) is cute as Cage's "daughter". The twist at the end I didnt see coming but it was fun to say the least. Cage gives us another performance to his list and a memorable one to say the least. Also starring Bruce McGill(Animal House). Probably one of the best of 2003
Rating: 
Summary: It didn't suck. This is a renter.
Review: The advert says "Imaginative. A wonderful, wonderful movie." I'll admit to it being clever, & not leaving me with that semi desperate there's-2-hours-of-my-life-I-can-never-get-back feeling. About the best thing that can be said about this flick is that Cage was his usual outstanding self, & he must have had a ball playing the character.
Rating:
Summary: Matchstick Men (2003)
Review: Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Nicholas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce Altman, Bruce McGill, Jenny O'Hara, Steve Eastin.
Running Time: 121 minutes.
Rated PG-13 for language and some violence. Ridley Scott, director of a wide variety of motion pictures, ranging from "Alien", "Blade Runner", "Thelma and Louise", and the Oscar-winning "Gladiator", creates an exciting, intelligent action-comedy that possesses a strong lead wrong from the obsessive-compulsive stricken con-artist played by Nicholas Cage. Adapted from the novel written by Eric Garcia, "Matchstick Men" is a hidden gem that did not receive much critical consideration or buzz, but will undoubtedly make you laugh and think at the same time. Roy (Cage) is a virtuoso con-man who is overwhelmed by his psychological disadvantages that consist of agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder; he is very monetarily successful, but his problems have left him with no social acquaintances except his partner Frank (played by Sam Rockwell), a devastating divorce, and an increasing dependence on his psychologist (Bruce Altman). Amidst planning for their biggest score against a wealthy, unsuspecting mark (Bruce McGill), Roy's world is thrown upside down when a young fourteen year-old girl (Alison Lohman) steps through the threshold of his frantic world and claims to be the daughter that he has never met. Roy is torn between making the biggest score of his live or changing his ways and perspectives to focus more on his newfound relationship with the young woman. Surprisingly to Roy, his daughter has an incredible knack for the dubious crimes that he and Frank are accustomed to committing-prompting Roy to include her in their con scheme. Director Scott creates a hip, energetic film with similar undertones to his 1991 film "Thelma and Louise", using some excellent dialogue and twists and turns to create an intellectual comedic caper that sniffs similarities of "The Sting". Nicholas Cage is very good in his role as the neurotic crook, but his engaging relationship with the stand-out Lohman makes the film very entertaining. A film that will certainly stimulate the mind and the funny bone-well worth the trip. The 72-minute "Tricks of the Trade" is produced by Ridley Scott and is a very informative and interactive feature on the DVD, allowing viewers to parade through a variety of options, including interview segments, deleted scenes and ego-massaging. An especially pleasurable flick!
Rating:
Summary: A charming confection
Review: This stylish film is thoroughly entertaining with a minimum of violence. Think "Paper Moon" meets "The Grifters" and "What About Bob?" Nick Cage is hysterical as a quirky con artist bedeviled by obsessive-compulsive disorder; the scenes of his closets alone were enough to make me smile. The Frank Sinatra songs were presumably intended to impart a devil-may-care mood, and while they were consistent with the film's light touch, I believe a more eclectic and original soundtrack might have saved the story from feeling more than a tad derivative. But overall the film was like enjoying a good pastry: it might not be terribly nutritious, but it sure goes down easily.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing about which to complain...
Review: Something tells me that Ted Griffin (co screenwriter for MATCHSTICK MEN) is enamoured with the con-man genre. Back in good form after his latest 'criminal comedy', OCEAN'S ELEVEN, he and director Ridley Scott manufacture a highly entertaining film concerning a hypochondriac 'matchstick man' (Nicolas Cage), his partner (Sam Rockwell), and the 'third wheel': his 14-year old daugher Angela (played to a tee by Alison Lohman). Although the movie skips playfully from bright locale to the next, interweaving comedy, suspense, and drama, the core of the film's texture is a certain product of the intricate father-daughter relationship between Cage and Lohman. More than a comedic and brilliant romp in Las Vegas (as was OCEAN'S ELEVEN), MATCHSTICK MEN concerns the timeless issues of loneliness, earnestness and honesty, and the universal bond between two fellow human beings. Scott's film is quite brilliant: an achievement that perhaps may not appear in the annals of the greatest films in history, but one that ferments his reputation as an observant and versatile director; striving not only to entertain, but to speak to his audience through this wonderful art form.
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