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 Matchstick Men
by brooksie
Matchstick Men
Metacritic.com: 62
My Score: 09/10
Movie or Film: Film
So, I first saw the trailer for Matchstick Men some time last year, at one of the indie movies I saw in Manhattan at the AMC Empire 25 on 42nd, and I've been waiting to see it since then.
Ridley Scott does a much better job on this one than on any of the other films he's made lately. In fact, I haven't enjoyed a Ridley Scott movie this much since Blade Runner or Alien, both over 20 years ago. Sure, other people liked Gladiator and Black Hawk Down, and chicks liked Thelma and Louise, but Matchstick Men has universal appeal.
Plus, although Alison Lohman plays Nicholas Cage's 14-year-old daughter, she's actually 25 in real life, so it's okay to be attracted to her. And damn, does she pull off 14. It's going to be interesting to see her go up against soon-to-be-19-year-old Scarlet Johansson in the academy awards. Johansson is sure to get a nom for Lost in Translation even though I haven't seen or reviewed it yet... It'll be two weeks on that one, since my sister's wedding is next weekend.
The only question is whether the girls will be nommed as best actresses, or if their roles will be decided to be supporting.
Matchstick Men is sure to take home a lot of oscar noms. First off, Nicolas Cage is sure to be nommed, and tough to beat as best actor. I mean, he plays someone with a psychological disorder, and that's worth BIG POINTS to the academy.
Go see this movie. The acting is excellent. Hopefully Nicolas Cage will be nommed for the Best Actor he deserved for Adaptation, and also deserves for this.
No, seriously, go see this movie. You are almost guaranteed to love it. The only reason it's a 09 instead of a 10 is that there are a few scenes where it loses focus. Also, Scott isn't quite sure when to say "Cut!" and decide that the whole movie is over. The end drags on a bit, but it's still good.
Go see Matchstick Men, even if you have to travel over an hour to the closest theater that's playing it. It's worth it. Not a 10, but very, very close.
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