By Cassandra Hardman, Staff Writer

Published in print Mar. 17, 2015

In “Focus”, the action is centered on master con artist Nicky (Will Smith) and desirable blonde Jess (Margot Robbie) who convinces him to teach her everything he knows after her inexperienced efforts of trying to rob him fail. Nicky brings Jess onto his team of skilled thieves as an “intern”, but things begin to blur as the two become romantically involved. If Nicky knows nothing else, he knows that his business is all about focus – and he’s losing it.

Nicky teaches Jess everything about being a successful con artist, but it’s never extremely clear what either of their motives are. Is she conning him, or is he really falling for her? Jess, with her distracting good looks, is perfect for Nick’s team and their next major job in New Orleans at a Super Bowl-esque football game, which happens to be the most nail-biting scene in the entire movie. You think you know what’s coming next, the usual clichés, and BOOM! One of many unexpected twist begins and take the audience for a ride.

The film certainly seemed split in two, its first half set in New Orleans and the second half in Buenos Aires where the two meet again a few years later. Both still are con artists, but on very different levels.

The movie benefits from Smith’s charm and light humor throughout the film. Robbie herself is very appealing, and the two’s chemistry together would have been perfect if their storyline as a couple hadn’t been underdeveloped. Though by the time the movie ends Smith is no longer the star role in “Focus”.

This reviewer rates the film a 3.5 out of 5, mainly because she was excited to see Will Smith back, attempting to live up to his status of his name being the selling point of a movie.