I’d been hearing positive things about Ridley Scott's "Matchstick Men" from 2003, but I put off watching it because it centers on two con artists. It’s difficult to become invested in a narrative when the central figures are essentially dishonest people who profit by deceiving others; frankly, I couldn't have cared less if they disappeared. However, almost everyone raved about how good the film was and that its ending would surprise you, so I eventually decided to give it a look. Nicolas Cage portrays Roy, a man whose obsessive-compulsive disorder seems connected to his past as a criminal—a physical manifestation of guilt he attempts to rationalize ("I don't take money from people; they give it to me"). He sees a therapist and uses medication to manage his condition. Eventually, Roy and his associate (Sam Rockwell) stumble upon an opportunity for a significant payoff. Simultaneously, his life becomes more complex with the unexpected arrival of a 14-year-old daughter he didn't know existed (Alison Lohman). The story is engaging from beginning to end, but the final act and concluding scenes are especially rewarding. I appreciate that the movie highlights how love holds greater value than money—and how much more painful it is to lose. It also suggests that a genuinely good person will naturally reject foolish, self-centered, and improper behaviors. The possibility of redemption exists for everyone, regardless of their flaws, but achieving it requires a desire for change and freedom. I won’t elaborate further because experiencing the film with minimal prior knowledge enhances its impact. The movie has a runtime of two hours and was shot in locations around Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Venice. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB