Focus Movie: A Thrilling Psychological Drama

Focus Movie Overview

“Focus” is a 2015 American crime comedy-drama film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, produced by Denise Di Novi, and starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie. The film was released on February 27, 2015, by Warner Bros. Pictures and Zaftig Films. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The movie follows the story of a con artist named Nicky Spurgeon, played by Will Smith, who takes an aspiring femme fatale, Jess Barrett, played by Margot Robbie, under his wing. Nicky is a seasoned con man who has been in the business for years, and Jess is a novice who is just starting out. Together, they form a relationship that is built on trust and charm, but it is not long before their relationship is put to the test.

The film is set in glamorous settings such as New Orleans during the Super Bowl, where Nicky and his team, which includes Adrian Martinez, Rodrigo Santoro, and BD Wong, are planning a big con. The movie is full of twists and turns, and it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.

The movie also stars Gerald McRaney, Liyuan Teng, Brennan Brown, Robert Taylor, and Griff Furst. Apollo Robbins, a well-known grifter, served as a consultant on the film, and Stephanie Honoré and Dominic Fumusa also had minor roles.

Overall, “Focus” is a well-crafted movie that combines comedy, drama, and emotion in a way that keeps the audience engaged from beginning to end. It is a modern take on classic con artist movies like “The Sting” and “Shade,” and it is definitely worth watching.

Technical Aspects of Focus

The technical aspects of focus in filmmaking are crucial in conveying the intended story and emotion to the audience. Cinematography, editing, audio, and visual effects all play an important role in creating the perfect focus.

Cinematography

Cinematography is the art of capturing moving images on camera. The focus in cinematography is achieved by adjusting the lens aperture, shutter speed, and focus ring. The depth of field is a crucial aspect of focus in cinematography. It is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in the frame that appear sharp. A shallow depth of field is used to focus on a specific subject while blurring the background, while a deep depth of field is used to keep the entire frame in focus.

Editing

Editing is the process of selecting and combining shots to create a finished film. The focus in editing is achieved through the use of jump cuts, cross-cutting, and match cuts. Jump cuts are used to create a jarring effect by cutting between two shots that are similar but not identical. Cross-cutting is used to show two different scenes happening at the same time, while match cuts are used to create a visual connection between two different shots.

Audio

Audio is an important aspect of focus in filmmaking. Sound effects and music can be used to draw the audience’s attention to a specific subject or object. The use of silence can also be used to create a dramatic effect and focus the audience’s attention on a specific scene or character.

Visual Effects

Visual effects can be used to create a specific focus in a film. The use of color grading, lighting, and special effects can be used to create a specific mood and focus the audience’s attention on a specific subject or object. The focus can also be achieved through the use of camera movement, such as a dolly zoom or a tracking shot.

In conclusion, the technical aspects of focus in filmmaking are vital in creating a successful film. By utilizing the various techniques available in cinematography, editing, audio, and visual effects, filmmakers can create a specific focus and convey their intended story and emotion to the audience.

Critical Reception and Box Office Performance

Focus received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 56% approval rating based on 204 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10. The site’s consensus reads, “Gripping performances by the leads keep Focus entertaining, but it’s the lack of emotional depth that prevents it from being truly satisfying.” On Metacritic, the film has a score of 56 out of 100 based on 45 critics, indicating “mixed or average reviews.”

Despite the mixed reviews, Focus performed well at the box office, grossing over $159 million worldwide against a budget of $50 million. The film opened at number one in the United States and Canada, grossing $18.7 million in its opening weekend. The film’s success was largely due to the star power of its lead actors, Will Smith and Margot Robbie.

Focus is a romantic crime drama with elements of comedy. The film’s focus on the relationship between its two leads, Nicky and Jess, was praised by some critics for adding depth and emotional weight to the story. However, others criticized the film for being too focused on the romance and not enough on the crime aspect of the plot.

Overall, Focus was a commercial success and received mixed reviews from critics. While the film’s lack of emotional depth was criticized, the performances of its lead actors and the film’s entertaining nature helped it perform well at the box office.