Matchstick Men

Cast & Crew

Nicolas Cage

Roy

Sam Rockwell

Frank

Alison Lohman

Angela

Bruce Altman

Dr. Klein

Bruce McGill

Frechette

Sheila Kelley

Kathy

Beth Grant

Laundry Lady

Jenny O'Hara

Mrs. Schaffer

Ridley Scott

Director

Ted Griffin

Screenwriter

Nicholas Griffin

Screenwriter

Jack Rapke

Producer

Steve Starkey

Producer

Sean Bailey

Producer

Ted Griffin

Producer

Ridley Scott

Producer

Robert Zemeckis

Executive Producer

Eric Garcia

Writer

Charles J.D. Schlissel

Co-Producer

Giannina Facio

Co-Producer

John Mathieson

Cinematographer

Tom Foden

Production Design

Dody Dorn

Film Editing

Hans Zimmer

Original Music

Michael Kaplan

Costume Design

Michael Manson

Art Director

Nancy Nye

Set Decoration

Debra Zane

Casting

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Critic Reviews for Matchstick Men

Audience Reviews for Matchstick Men

• Jul 22, 2017

  I've never been a religious man, dating back to as far as I can remember. My grandma, especially, is very religious. My mom and aunt, who I was raised by, both believe in some form of a higher power. But they've never been overbearing about it. I was never forced to go to church or to pray or any of those other things associated with being raised by a religious family. I guess this is why it was easier for me, when I reached the age of reason (13) to come to the conclusion that believing in a higher power just didn't make sense to me. We know enough about this universe to know that there's no real design to any of it and I've been an atheist ever since then. That's, obviously, a simplification of my thoughts, but that's the basic gist of it. So, yes, I've been an atheist since I started my teens. Until I came to the realization a little while ago that I do, in fact, have a Lord and Savior. And His name is Nicolas Cage. I used to deny the existence of his greatness. But no more, Hallelujah, I have seen the light of His love and it is wondrous. I used to be a nonbeliever, but all that has changed and I've accepted His love and light into my heart and my life has never been the same. If you were expecting me to speak seriously about religion in a Nicolas Cage movie, then I don't know what is wrong with you. But, I digress, let's move on to this movie, shall we? This is one of those flicks that I've always seen on TV (or more recently on Netflix) and I've always wanted to see it from beginning to end (I've seen bits of it here and there). But it's just one of those movies that's on the back of your mind. It's not really where your mind first goes to when you go to pick a movie to watch. It's the movie you have if you've got no time left and you have to pick something quickly. I suppose that's not the most flattering thing to say about a film, but that's just the way I felt about this. I wanted to see it, but it's not like I absolutely needed to do it or else my life would've been incomplete without it. But, after all was said and done, I came away from this movie pleasantly surprised. Well that's not really what I mean, since it's not like I had low expectations for this flick. What I mean is simply the fact that I came away from this pleased with my choice. It's not a movie that, again, I needed to see, but I'm glad I did see it because, surprise surprise, I thought this was good. I know there's a new friend out there that 'disapproves' of my enjoyment of Nic Cage films (you know who you are) and if you're reading this review, then you should watch this movie. In all seriousness, though, while there's some obvious Cage-isms in this film, this is a more subdued version of the man. I've always felt that when Cage is into a script, then he can actually be a really good actor. Perhaps not one of the best, but still pretty damn good. You'd think the fact that Cage plays a character who has OCD and severe tourette's, which manifests itself in uncontrollable tics, would lead to a lot of Cage-isms. But, surprisingly, Cage's tics come across fairly natural and not Cage trying to make a mockery of the whole thing. And I do think that this is something that Cage has excelled that that no one really gives him credit for. And that is selling the physical aspects of whatever ailment his character may have at that particular moment. I am a fair man and I have to give Cage credit where it is earned. As far as the film and its narrative goes, it's all fairly standard and predictable. You can pretty much figure out what's going on almost immediately. I'll try not to spoil things, but it should be obvious for those of you who've watched more than 10 films in your lives, but I just find parts of the narrative to be a little convoluted. There's some many variables in the long con that Frank and Angela play on Roy. For example, Frank has to count on the fact that Roy will listen to his advice about seeing a psychiatrist. I suppose this one would have been easier when taking into consideration the fact that Roy has lost his usual supplier of his medicine, through illicit means, and he sees the psychiatrist as a chance to get more medicine to control his tourette's. That one is fine. But then you have to count on the fact that Roy will chicken out on calling his ex-wife and asking her about their 'daughter' and then ask the psychiatrist to call his ex for him and to set up a meeting with his daughter. Frank has no way of knowing that that Roy will do everything exactly as his plan went. So, yea, I found that to be a little far-fetched to be honest. I still thought the film was good, but I do think what I mentioned held it back a little, to me at least. I still found this to be an entertaining, if not particularly great, caper film. And it's not even a real caper film, since that's not really the endgame, really. At least for Roy. I like that it focuses on the relationship between Roy and Angela, it gives me Roy a stability in life that he never had. It's a little cliched, but I think Nic Cage and Alison Lohman have good chemistry and they make it work. Sam Rockwell is always amazing and I, honestly, wish he was in this movie a little more than he was. He always makes things better and I feel that if his character had been featured more, the film might have been better. But that's neither here nor there. Don't know what else I can say about this flick. I've gone over it all. The cast is great and, easily, the best part of the film. The narrative, while predictable, gets the job done, they do a good enough job at making you invested in these characters. There's something missing here, to be sure, but I thought this was a good movie and I'd certainly recommend it if you've been on a string of shitty movies and would just like to watch a good one for a change. Nothing you really need to see here, but this is still enjoyable.

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  jesse o Super Reviewer
• Oct 04, 2016

  Ridley Scott's con movie outing is charming, but overplayed, which serves to give away the ending long before the end. Kinda ruined it for me. And the main con in the piece never questions the actions of his subordinates, which he calmly tells us, is his main job. And so, meh.

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  kevin w Super Reviewer
• Apr 18, 2014

  Cage gives a great performance as an obsessive compulsive con artist, Alison Lohman is good as Angela, and Sam Rockwell as just as good as he normally is in roles like this. it's a good attempt at a dramedy by director Ridley Scott, and the film is both well paced and well written.

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  Super Reviewer
• Feb 27, 2013

  Another surprise. This one came out with tepid reviews and I was expecting another tepid Cage film but the plot sucks you in and the twists and turns are completely surprising. Very entertaining.

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  Super Reviewer