Cage strikes gold in 'Matchstick Men'

Matchstick Men

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Nicholas cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman

Cert: 15

LA conman Nicholas Cage has a crisis of conscience when the teenage daughter he never knew he had (Lohman) turns up unexpectedly on his doorstep. Meanwhile he’s embarking on a big money heist that will set up his cash-hungry partner (Rockwell) for life. Can Cage be a master crook and a good dad? Will all three come out the other side barely scathed? With the scene set, director Scott’s fast-paced film, weaves a clever plotline and develops witty and well-rounded characters in all three stars.

Cage plays his role in his trademark off-centre way. With an ensemble of ticks, twitches and neuroses, he’s both uncomfortable and hypnotic to watch. Rockwell’s character is less engaging, but, as the feisty daughter eager to follow dad into the congame, it’s newcomer Lohman who steals the show.

The film’s settings, a shabby LA office, Cage’s obsessively clean home, the airport concourse and multi-storey car park, are each designed to lure the viewer into a world of urban humdrum much like those inhabited by Michael Douglas in Falling Down or Robin Williams in One Hour Photo. Then, as with these films, just when you think you know where Matchstick Men is going, along comes a spin that will leave even the most jaded cinema-goer open-jawed in amazement. A stylishly clever and downright entertaining yarn which could garner the leading man yet another Oscar nomination.

Star Rating: 4/5