MovieChat Forums > Focus (2015) Discussion > good acting, unconvincing romance

good acting, unconvincing romance


That was essentially my opinion of this film. The acting was good from all involved, but I just did not believe the romance. Not because the two leads lacked chemistry, but because of the way it was written. It felt forced. I didn't believe that Will Smith's character would fall so hard for the girl so quickly that he would have to get rid of her just to keep sane. Not believable. It would have been better if they just became good friends and maybe built up a romance over several years of working together, rather than having them separate for three years after knowing each other what, a few weeks? And then still being obsessed with each other three years later when they STILL had hardly had time to get to know one another. Basically I wish that aspect of the movie, which turned out to be a pretty important one, had just been more natural and less forced.

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I agree. The romance always felt like part of a long con. When it turns out not to be I'm not so sure I was happier for it.

Conman films are my favorite sub-genre. House of Games, Heist, the Grifters, Matchstick Men, The Sting, etc. Focus had some of what those did, but only when it wasn't being bogged down by the romance of the leads.

Take the romance out. Leave the sexual tension in and make it a learning relationship with undertones and I think the movie improves immeasurably.

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