THE REWATCHABLES · November 16, 2021
A 2015 crime / comedy / drama directed by Glenn Ficarra; John Requa, covered in the complete Rewatchables archive.
ON THIS EPISODE
FROM THE CONVERSATION
WHY IT WORKS
WHAT DID NOT WORK
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
The opening sets the cool, flirtatious tone with a classy hotel setup and an early scam.
About 40 minRobbie's stealing practice showcases her charisma and establishes her as a believable thief.
About 40 minThe bed scene gives the leads a rare quiet moment and explains Smith's nickname and worldview.
About 40 minA long, intricate betting scam plays as one of the film's most memorable set pieces.
About 40 minTheir three-years-later meeting reconfigures the power dynamic and lets Robbie flip the con back on him.
About 48 minA tense search scene that mostly works because of Robbie slipping out of danger.
About 48 minThe ending explanation of the con, including the fake shooting and keylogger, lands as a satisfying payoff.
About 1:12WHERE THEY DISAGREED
Bill SimmonsYes; he believes the two have real chemistry and the scenes feel locked in.
Wesley MorrisYes, eventually; a second viewing made him more persuaded than he was in 2015.
Bill SimmonsIt works, even with bad uniforms and fake teams.
Wesley MorrisIt works because the con mechanics and gambling energy are strong.
Bill SimmonsHe cannot explain it and thinks the movie needed a different setup.
Wesley MorrisAlso does not understand it and thinks the movie doesn't supply a convincing reason.
Bill SimmonsIt would have been interesting but the Smith/Robbie version is strong.
Wesley MorrisThe original casting would have been worth seeing and could have led to more pairings.
Finds the film highly rewatchable and unusual because it gives Will Smith a romantic-capable caper role.
About 8 minInitially liked the movie and later appreciated its mechanics more on rewatch.
About 8 minArgues Smith could have had a more Denzel-like career if he balanced blockbusters with more challenging roles.
About 8 minViews Smith as a star shaped by a noble, nonsexual persona that sometimes limits his roles.
About 8 minCalls it one of the most rewatchable scenes of the last decade and loves the con reveal.
About 40 minPrefers the later explanation sequence because it clarifies how the con actually worked.
About 1:12Sees Robbie as a major star whose performance and chemistry with Smith power the movie.
About 16 minThinks Robbie works well here and has the making of a Charlize Theron-like star career.
About 16 minThe episode frames Focus as evidence that Smith could still do charismatic romantic or adult-oriented roles, even as he usually chose blockbusters.
About 8 minThey argue caper films use money and theft as stand-ins for trust, attraction, and sexual strategy.
About 24 minThe conversation contrasts Will Smith's nonsexual movie-star charisma with Margot Robbie's and other actors' more overt sensuality.
About 8 minThe episode laments that movies like Focus are disappearing in favor of franchises or prestige projects.
About 1:28The film was written and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.
About 1:04Focus had a $50.1 million budget and made $158.8 million worldwide.
About 1:20The episode notes that Focus was Will Smith's first R-rated movie since Bad Boys 2.
About 16 minWesley says the 'Toledo twist' is the name for the fake shooting trick used in the film.
About 1:28The sleight-of-hand work used consultant Apollo Robbins.
About 1:28The movie was edited on Apple's Final Cut Pro X on Mac Pro, according to the discussion.
About 1:28Used as a tonal and visual comparison for the hotel-bar opening and Soderbergh-like vibe.
About 40 minCraig's description of Focus as 'Hitch as a caper movie.'
About 8 minCited as one of Smith's strongest recent performances before his uneven stretch.
About 8 minMentioned as a Smith project that still worked as a star vehicle despite mixed opinions.
About 8 minUsed as an example of Smith returning to a familiar franchise lane.
About 8 minReferenced as a film Smith reportedly passed on.
About 8 minCited as part of Smith's rough stretch before Focus.
About 8 minUsed as an example of the one romantic/supernatural star vehicle that genuinely worked in the genre discussion.
About 8 minCompared as a key reference point for the caper-romance genre.
About 24 minNamed as another caper-comedy example.
About 24 minReferenced as a classic caper ensemble template.
About 24 minUsed as the premier example of sexuality as a weapon in a noir context.
About 32 minWilliam Goldman's failed caper romance is cited as a cautionary example.
About 24 minMentioned in the 'Toledo twist' discussion as an earlier use of the device.
About 1:28Referenced as another gambling/caper-adjacent movie with strong scenes.
About 1:28Repeated comparisons between Smith and other stars about blockbusters, prestige roles, and what he might have done differently.
About 8 minThey keep returning to the idea that capers are about trust, desire, and deception more than money.
About 24 minWesley's phrase for actors who overcommit to sexual or seductive performances becomes a recurring critical shorthand.
About 32 minWesley fixates on Will Smith's hair and whether it was chosen to fit the father reveal ambiguity.
About 1:28They admire a short scene of the antagonist calmly shopping before a car crash.
About 1:12Bill and Wesley debate whether Robbie's thefts are plausible and whether her beauty helps or hurts the disguise.
About 1:28“This is a man's world.”Opening minutes · medium confidence
“Focus is a game, of focus.”About 1:12
“You guys suck.”About 40 min · medium confidence
“There are no depths to plumb.”About 24 min
“I fucking love this scene.”About 40 min
MAKE IT A MOVIE NIGHT
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Three movies to watch before Focus, and three to watch next.
ON THE MIC
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