Focus Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Will Smith teaches Margot Robbie how to pickpocket, they fall in love, betray each other a lot, and then it turns out Will Smith’s dad was in on it all along; so basically, a very expensive episode of ‘White Collar’ but with more attractive people.

🍿 Focus: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Nicky and Jess Meet

Nicky Spurgeon, a seasoned con man, encounters Jess Barrett, an aspiring grifter. He initially dismisses her clumsy attempt to con him but recognizes her potential. Nicky decides to take Jess under his wing, introducing her to the world of elaborate cons and pickpocketing.

New Orleans and Super Bowl Week

Nicky brings Jess to New Orleans during Super Bowl week, immersing her in a high-stakes environment. He teaches her how to spot marks, distract them, and execute precise thefts. Jess proves to be a quick learner, and the crew amasses a fortune through various scams, including pickpocketing and fraudulent ATM schemes. Their relationship deepens beyond mentorship, leading to a romantic entanglement.

The High-Stakes Gamble

At the Super Bowl, Nicky engages in a series of escalating bets with a wealthy gambler, Liyuan. The stakes rise dramatically, culminating in a seemingly impossible bet where Nicky risks everything on Liyuan correctly identifying a player on the field. Jess, seemingly under duress, identifies the player, orchestrated by a complex scheme involving subliminal messaging. Despite their success, Nicky abruptly ends the relationship, leaving Jess with her share of the money.

Reunion in Buenos Aires

Three years later, Nicky is in Buenos Aires, working with a wealthy race car team owner, Garriga, to sell a fake algorithm to his competitors. He unexpectedly encounters Jess, who is now Garriga’s girlfriend. Old feelings resurface, complicating Nicky’s plans. The dynamic between Nicky, Jess, and Garriga becomes a dangerous game of deception, with shifting alliances and uncertain loyalties.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nicky (Will Smith): A veteran con man, Nicky takes Jess under his wing, only to realize the complications that arise when love mixes with deception.
• Jess (Margot Robbie): An aspiring con artist, Jess learns the tricks of the trade from Nicky, leading to a complicated romantic entanglement.
• Garriga (Rodrigo Santoro): A wealthy race car owner, Garriga becomes entangled in Nicky and Jess’s schemes, serving as a mark for their cons.
• Farhad (Adrian Martinez): A member of Nicky’s crew, Farhad provides comedic relief and aids in executing various cons.
• Owens (Gerald McRaney): Garriga’s head of security and Nicky’s father who orchestrates the ‘Toledo Panic Button’ and double-crosses everyone.
• Liyuan (BD Wong): A high-stakes gambler who falls victim to Nicky’s elaborate betting scheme during a football game.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nicky: “It’s about distraction. It’s about focus. The brain is slow and it can’t multitask. Tap him here, take from there.” – Nicky explains the core principles of con artistry, highlighting the importance of misdirection.
• Nicky: “There’s no room for heart in this game.” – Nicky expresses his belief that emotions can compromise a con artist’s focus and judgment.
• Jess: “You can be smart and wrong.” – Jess challenges Nicky’s confidence and highlights the unpredictability of human behavior.
• Owens: “Never lose focus.” – A recurring motif, and the film’s title, emphasizing the importance of concentration in the high-stakes world of con artistry.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50.1M
• Domestic Gross: $53.8M
• Worldwide Gross: $159.1M

💥 Focus Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Focus’ expecting a smart, sexy heist movie, and while it definitely had those elements, it didn’t fully deliver. The first half, set in New Orleans during Super Bowl week, was a blast – the energy was infectious, and the cons were genuinely clever. However, the second half in Argentina felt a bit convoluted, and the twists started to feel forced. Still, Will Smith and Margot Robbie have amazing chemistry, and I was entertained throughout! One of the best parts was the ending, with a little double con action.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies.”
  • “Those who enjoy films with romantic elements and plot twists.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stylish cinematography and exotic locations.”
  • “Fans of Will Smith and Margot Robbie.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes related to crime and deception.”
  • “Some sexual content and language.”
  • “Brief violence.”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “A stylish, twisty con-artist tale that never quite reaches the heights of its inspirations. Smith and Robbie have undeniable chemistry, but the plot meanders too much, sacrificing genuine suspense for surface-level cleverness. The New Orleans and Buenos Aires settings are gorgeous, yet feel underutilized.
• Variety: “Focus delivers a slick, entertaining ride, even if it’s not particularly deep or memorable. The cons are inventive, the visuals are sharp, and the leads are undeniably charismatic. However, the film struggles to balance its romantic and criminal elements, leading to a somewhat unsatisfying resolution.
• Entertainment Weekly: “While undeniably stylish and showcasing the undeniable chemistry between Smith and Robbie, ‘Focus’ ultimately loses its own focus. The plot twists become increasingly convoluted, and the emotional stakes feel surprisingly low for a film attempting to blend romance with a high-stakes con.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Will Smith and Margot Robbie is electric and makes the movie worth watching.: Many viewers praised the stylish visuals and the charismatic performances of the lead actors.

The Super Bowl betting scene is thrilling and unpredictable.: Viewers often highlighted the clever cons and plot twists as engaging elements.

Overall Consensus: A stylish but uneven con-artist film with strong performances from Will Smith and Margot Robbie, but ultimately hampered by a convoluted plot and a lack of genuine emotional depth.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Margot Robbie believes that her sassy reply to Will Smith during the audition (about arriving on time despite a difficult journey) secured her the role.”
• “The film showcases Buenos Aires, Argentina, as a key location, adding a layer of international intrigue to the story.”
• “Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, known for their work on ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love,’ bring a blend of romance and crime to the film, creating a stylish and sexy atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch Focus?

Focus is available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. You may also find the Blu-ray or DVD for sale at major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Focus, you might like these similar films:

• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Features a charismatic team pulling off elaborate heists with plenty of twists and turns.
• The Sting (1973): A classic con movie with intricate plotting and satisfying reveals.
• Catch Me If You Can (2002): Based on a true story, showcasing a young con artist’s daring exploits.
• Now You See Me (2013): Features a group of illusionists who use their skills to pull off bank heists, blending magic and crime.

🛒 Focus Related Products

• The Art of the Con: How to Win at Life by Deceiving People: Learn the real-world techniques of con artists, inspired by the movie. Understand the psychology of deception and how to protect yourself from scams. Discover strategies for negotiation, persuasion, and influence, packaged as a guide to understanding deception.
• Playing Cards – Bicycle Rider Back 12 Decks: These classic Bicycle Rider Back playing cards are perfect for card games and magic tricks. Standard size, air-cushion finish for ease of handling. Durable and ideal for cardistry.
• Men’s Dress Watch, Elegant Slim Minimalist Wrist Watch for Men: With a minimalist design that is clean and elegant, this dress watch features a genuine leather band that provides a comfortable fit. The sleek, ultra-thin profile enhances the watch’s overall sophistication, making it a versatile accessory for both business and casual occasions.
• FOCUS Movie Poster (27 x 40 Inches – 69cm x 102cm) (2015) Style A: High-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying in your home theater or office. Features Will Smith and Margot Robbie in a stylish and captivating design.

🎧 Soundtrack

Focus features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Conga” – performed by Gloria Estefan
• “I’m A Manchild” – performed by Bruno Hovart

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Will you be my boyfriend? – Will Smith | Focus #shorts

Get ready for a laugh as Will Smith tries to impress his potential girlfriend with a hilarious pickup line. You won’t believe what happens next!

✨ Rate