Matchstick Men, a Ridley Scott film, was adapted by a book of the same name written by Eric Garcia.
The story, in my opinion, had two major storylines. The first is of Roy (Nicholas Cage) discovering he has, and trying to raise, his daughter. And secondly, his conflicting role as a con man.
The movie begins with us discovering that Roy is an excessive compulsive con man. Even an open car door can freak him out. When he walks into his office his partner in crime has begun a minor hit on an elderly women. They call up the women and tell her that she could win one of 5 different amazing prizes, but should first buy a product they are selling for $700 so as to avoid taxes. They than go down posing as government agents trying to help them with the investigation.
As the story progresses the usual touching moments between him and his daughter are acted well. We begin to feel for all the major characters, an amazing feat since the daughter was, in the movie, 14, but in reality is 24. It was acted out well, so well that she actually seemed 14 all the way through the movie.
There is also a mark, a twist, a double cross, and lots of interesting additions to the story.
My Take: If you like twists at the end of movies you'll love it.
Rating: 7/10
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