Earlier today, we brought you the first official images from Focus, a con artist drama coming our way from directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, who previously gave us the very enjoyable Crazy, Stupid, Love. While the filmmakers originally had Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone attached to star, followed by Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart, they eventually settled on Will Smith and Margot Robbie. And, judging by this first trailer for the film, Ficarra and Requa definitely made the right choice in terms of casting.
The story centers around a con artist named Nicky (Smith), who takes a novice (Margot Robbie) under his wing but ends up breaking it off when she gets “too close for comfort.” Several years later, she shows up again and throws Nicky’s “plans for a loop.”
As expected, both actors appear to be at the top of their game here, with Smith looking as confident and charismatic as he always is, and Robbie proving that she’s more than just a pretty face. Although, she’s kind of already proven that thanks to her excellent work in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Aside from that though, Focus promises to be a slick and sexy heist thriller that should also offer up a healthy dose of laughs and even some heart. It all looks very entertaining and as of now, my hopes are quite high for this one. Sure, it might not be anything remarkable, but I can definitely see the film turning out to be some easily digestible entertainment that helps to liven up the usually slow winter movie season.
Focus opens on February 27th, 2015. Check out the first trailer above and leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game.
