Matchstick Men2003

I was a pretentious little shit 2003. I took a film class in high school, which made me think I - and I alone - could separate art from trash. Anyway, I remember thinking this film was peak cinema in 2003. I watched it last night on Criterion Channel (loving the con artist collection this month) and thought - ok, maybe this isn't peak cinema. But it is a good movie! Sam Rockwell was still trying to find himself, but I think he did a good job of looking like an unkempt crook who gets the Spearmint Rhino lunch buffet at least weekly. Cage gave a restrained, sensitive take on Roy - a guy who told his shrink that the only thing keeping him from blowing his brains out was the thought of such a messy carpet. That tidbit of info alone would make you think - oh man, crazy Nic Cage at his best baby. But no - Cage gave a great performance. He artfully displayed Roy's anxiety and depression with seemingly well-planned tics and mannerisms. But what impressed me most was Nic Cage's wide-eyed smiles as he spends more time with his daughter Angela, played by Alison Lohman. Watching Roy discover his purpose and self-fulfillment is extra special through Nic Cage's eyes and movements. Maybe not peak cinema,but a fun, sweet dark comedy.