By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Neil Slavin
Starring: David Paymer | Laura Dern | Meat Loaf Aday | William H. Macy
Country: united_states
Year: 2001
Running time: 106
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0264578
Kevin says: “Speaking of an impressive debut–here’s one for you. Riveting, elegant, brilliantly performed by William H. Macy
and Laura Dern. The dialogue is crisp and performed with a perfectly mannered style that matches the over-stylized production values. Reproduces the perfect mixture of hysteria, paranoia and hatred that encompass the era. (The most terrifying scene for me was when all of the neighbors stand outside watering their lawns at the same time with what seems to be the same hose–ick, mainstream 40’s suburbia!) I don’t think this one was very well-received, but I can’t understand why not–highly recommended.” 4 1/2 cats
Nathaniel says: “The rejection of the film is really a pity because it offers more to chew on than your typical excursion to the movies. Though the symbolism can be heavy-handed it has just as many moments of lyrical beauty. It also affords one the rare
opportunity to see two underused atypical actors bite into juicy large roles. William H Macy, supporting actor extraordinaire, gets a rare chance at a leading ‘everyman’ role. As for Laura Dern…Hollywood’s never known what to do with her. She was amazing in maverick films like CITIZEN RUTH and WILD AT HEART but lately it’s been rough going. FOCUS lets her bite into a period piece again and immediately returns you to memories of how much fun she was in RAMBLING ROSE. Both actors are fine here and their chemistry is spot on. So, if there are faults to be had in the film, they do not arise from Macy and Dern’s non Jewish ‘look’ but from some overkill in the technical aspects of the production. The period detail, costumes, and cinematography
are all lovely as can be… but some sequences (particularly in the middle of the picture) seem to wallow in their own period beauty rather than adding to or moving the story along. They dampen the film’s potency just as they should be building the tension towards the film’s terrific climax.”
Stephen says: “FOCUS is an allegorical tale of anti-Semitic prejudice in Brooklyn in the World War II years, based on an early novel by revered playwright Arthur Miller. While the film is much too didactic for its own good, first-time director Neal Slavin, directs a fine cast (William H. Macy, Laura Dern, David Paymer, and Meat Loaf Aday, among others) to some inspired performances. He also creates a very moody film noir ambience for his story of the dark underside of a seemingly all-American neighborhood.”