Matchstick Men might not be the best movie you'll see this year, but after a dismal summer of average or worse films, at least here is one you can watch and enjoy. Nicholas Cage plays Roy, a con artist, or matchstick man, who also suffers from Tourette's Syndrome with various tics and obsessions that he cannot control.

Nicholas Cage is nothing short of brilliant in this role. His performance is surely Oscar-worthy. Unless I listen to my underlying feeling that his behaviors were a little too acterly. Impressive as Cage is, I wondered if the character had Tourette's to enhance the plot or to showcase Cage's ability.

Roy's partner is Frank, played beautifully by Sam Rockwell. Together they make a living convincing people to give them money. They don't take money, people choose to give it to them. There's a difference and a significant one if we are to like these characters.

There's one more character of significance in the movie, Roy's 14 year-old daughter, Angela, with whom he has had no relationship until now. Angela adds flair to Roy's sterile life. She also wants to know about her father and once she has wheedled out of him what he does for a living, she soon wants to learn the game. Alison Lohman plays Angela, and she's wonderful. Although 24, she captures a 14 year-old particularly well!

I can't say too much about the plot lest I spoil it, other than that I really enjoyed the storyline. Not the most sophisticated manuscript on the shelf, it none the less kept me engaged and hoodwinked almost to the end.

The real delight of Matchstick Men is reflecting on the movie long after it's over. Director Ridley Scott knows how to spin a yarn--Thelma and Louise, Alien, Gladiator, G.I. Jane, Hannibal, Black Hawk Down--all show us that Scott can set the pace and lure an audience along with a racy plot. What he creates in Matchstick Men is far more subtle, it is a very interesting character study.

My guess is that most audiences will think this movie is all about the con and likely feel some disappointment, Matchstick Men is not The Sting. But the real joy of this movie is Roy, a poster boy for analysis using Aristotle's Poetics. It's all there--recognition of his tragic flaw that lead to reversal in his life. Roy's tragic flaw--not his mannered disability--allows him to be vulnerable to us and therefore his catharsis is truly satisfying.


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