Focus, which paired Will Smith and Margot Robbie onscreen together for the first time, is now trending on Netflix, nine years after its initial release in 2015. While the film was a box office success, earning $159 million against a $50 million budget, it is often underlooked and overshadowed by Smith andRobbie’s other movies. Particularly for Robbie,Focuswas released quite early into her career but got lost within her other films,such asThe Wolf of Wall StreetandSuicide Squad.
InFocus, Smith plays Nicky, a veteran con artist who takes Jess, played by Robbie, under his wing. Other thanFocus,2016’sSuicide Squadis actually the only other movie Smith and Robbie have starred in together. WhileSuicide Squadfurther displayed the chemistry between the two actors,Focusshowed it off in a much more effective way, and is easily the best movie Smith and Robbie have made together.
Focus Is Margot Robbie & Will Smith’s Best Movie Together, Not Suicide Squad
Smith And Robbie Keep Viewers On Their Toes As Con Artists In Focus
Will Smith and Margot Robbie played Deadshot and Harley Quinn inSuicide Squad, and were given the chance to have as much fun as possible in the wild world of comic book films. As the two main leads ofSuicide Squad, Smith and Robbie definitely excel in their roles, and were one of the few saving graces of the film. However, while Deadshot and Harley Quin were the two most well-written characters inSuicide Squad,Smith and Robbie’s more subtle performances inFocusallow the actors to excel much more.
In a major difference fromSuicide Squad,Smith and Robbie play love interests inFocus, so they are given the chance to get much more intimate on many occasions. Smith and Robbie are both such charismatic performers, so when they come together, their chemistry truly is off the charts. It doesn’t matter how many characters are present in any given scene inFocus; the viewer’s eye is always on either Smith or Robbie, and the chemistry they share is electric. As the movie progresses, the audience roots for them more and more, hoping they will get a happy ending.
Why Focus Is So Divisive With Critics & Audiences
Focus' Twists And Tricks Did Not Impress Everyone
While the chemistry between Smith and Robbie was one of the highlights of the movie, critics and audiences had other problems withFocus. SinceFocusis a film centered around multiple different con artists, several characters betray each other throughout the course of the film. However,some critics pointed out thatFocus’constant twists and betrayals were just cheap tricks to keep the audience entertained. Certain critics even pointed out thatFocusseems like a well-thought-out film, but upon further examination, it is actually very shallow.
I’m Still Waiting For A Key Margot Robbie Reunion After Her Breakout $407 Million Role
Margot Robbie’s explosive success in recent years makes me want to see her work again with a legendary director who helmed her breakout role.
Focusis also structured in a very interesting way, with the first and second halves almost feeling like different films. This structure was effective to some, but other critics pointed out that it seemed like Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the writers and directors of the film, just ran out of ideas halfway through and decided to start over. As a result,Focuscurrently holds an underwhelming score of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Will Smith & Margot Robbie Were Supposed To Reunite Again 3 Years Ago
Deadshot And Harley Quinn Almost Reunited In 2021
AfterFocus’extremely divided reviews andSuicide Squad’smuch worse performance with critics, Smith and Robbie have not worked together again. This is disappointing, since their chemistry was by far the best part of the two movies they did make together. Smith and Robbie were actually supposed to reunite for 2021’sThe Suicide Squad. However,Smith didn’t end up reprising his role as Deadshot in theSuicide Squadsequel.
Even though 2016’sSuicide Squadwas a critical failure, it was a box office success, which warranted a follow-up film. As one of the highlights of the first film,Warner Bros. wanted Smith to return forThe Suicide Squad, but due to scheduling conflicts, the actor couldn’t. Robbie, on the other hand, did return forThe Suicide Squad, and the actor once again shined inher portrayal of Harley Quinn. It’s a shame that Will Smithdidn’t return forThe Suicide Squad, as well, since the film received far better reviews than its predecessor, with a score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Focus
Cast
Focus, released in 2015, stars Will Smith as seasoned con artist Nicky, who becomes romantically involved with his protégé Jess, played by Margot Robbie. The narrative unfolds as she later reemerges, complicating his latest schemes with her presence as a femme fatale.
