Matchstick Men (VHS, 2004)

"Matchstick Men" starring Nick Cage, Sam Rockwell,and some chick. The story goes like this....Nick Cage plays a con artist who swindles folks with assistance from his pal Rockwell. Nick has obsessive-compulsive disorder, and freaks out at every little thing, from a door being left open to a general dislike of being outside. When he accidentally loses his medication, he becomes totally incapacitated, cleaning maniacally. Sam Rockwell rescues him by hooking him up with a shrink friend of his, who gives Nick a prescription and pinpoints the possible source of Nick's complex. It seems Nick may have fathered a child 14 years earlier, but he was unsure if the child was born or aborted. The shrink contacts Nick's former wife and finds out that yes, Nick does have a daughter and she would like to see him. Nicks life is turned upside down when this wild teenager enters his life, wanting to know all about him and the work he does. Nick tries to balance his relationship with his daughter with his life on crime. Ultimately, Nick will have to make a choice between his business and the possibility of a family. This movie covers a wide range of emotions. It manages to be dramatic and suspenseful, while maintaining a playfulness with the viewer. Nick Cage turns in another strong performance coming off of his brilliant work in "Adaptation" last year, and Sam Rockwell is very pleasing in the supporting role. The girl, who is actually 24, makes a very convincing 14 year old and I was amazed to learn her real age. A fun movie, and a breath of fresh air.

You got conned.

Raise your hand if your a Nicholas Cage fan. I raised mine. Although, I don't always feel proud to. Remember "Captain Correlli's Mandolin?" Of course you don't. Nobody watched that drivel. But when I think of Cage, a few movies come to mind. "Valley Girls" was the first movie I saw Cage in - and if you haven't seen that little slice of heaven - go rent it (or put it in your Netflix Queue) right now. I remember some movie he was in where he thought he was a vampire and terrorized his secretary the entire film. It's too bad the film title escapes me now but I'll say this: Cage/vampire = genius! And of course, who could forget "Adaptation" - one of the best movies to come out in the last ten years?

And, while flawed, "Matchstick Men" doesn't disappoint if your a Cage fan.

Roy (Cage) is an obsessive compulsive con-man. And while he's not very good at anything else, he excels in the art of the con. Together with his apprentice/partner Frank (Sam Rockwell), he bilks a lot of people out of their hard earned cash by running a telemarketing "You-just-won-a-free-vacation" bait-and-switch scam. And aside from having to close and lock the door three times before leaving the house as well as making sure EVERY PARTICLE OF DUST is cleaned, life is in good order for Roy (only a little hollow).

That all changes when he finds out his regular psychiatrist has disappeared and he no longer has any medication. Upon seeing a new psychiatrist, Roy finds out that he has a daughter named Angela (Alison Lohman). Of course (hey, this is a movie) this leads to Roy and Angela meeting and spending time together. The more they get to know each other, the less Roy is dependant upon his meds and the more normal his life becomes. And when Frank suggests that they go for "that really big score," Roy goes for it.

While a lot of that must sound cliqued by Hollywood standards, it doesn't play that way. The performances are very strong, especially from Lohman and Cage, who have instant chemistry. The movie is directed by Ridley Scott, and he does a great job of keeping things low-key (in contrast to his larger, louder epics). The twist in the third act is shrouded so well, you never see it coming.

So where is the problem? Well, it really comes down to the ending. And without spoiling things for you - it's almost as if Scott channeled the spirit of Steven Spielberg as we have a great movie that should end 10 minutes before it does and a sugar-laced denoument that allows everyone redemption. And with that, it loses it's edge.

Still, the movie is very much worth a look - if not a buy if your a big Cage fan. The DVD boasts commentary from Scott, the writer, and the producer; some trailers; and "Tricks of the Trade" - a three-part day-to-day account of the filmmaking process. Not great, but not bad either.