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Based on an Arthur Miller novel, "Focus" tells
the tale of Lawrence Newman (William H. Macy). He is a man who
leads a quiet life in his Brooklyn neighborhood. Lawrence is the
type of guy that doesn’t really say much, but
everyone has nothing bad to say about him either. That is until
he decides to get new glasses...
"Focus" is set during World War 2, when international
turmoil is transformed to American uncertainty, and bigotry
against Jews and Japanese-Americans are
rampant. This heated climate directly affects Mr. Newman, not
because he is a Jew, but because his glasses make him look like
one. On the day he gets
his new glasses, his mother looks at him with morbid curiosity
and bluntly says, "They make you look like a Jew." His
neighbor (Meat Loaf), a member of the Union Crusader, is a
vehement anti-Semite and begins to act differently towards him.
Just like the Jewish businessman Mr. Finkelstein (David Paymer)
who lives around their corner, Mr. Newman and his wife (Laura
Dern) become
the target of hate.
When I first saw the trailer for "Focus," I was very
intrigued by the whole idea for the film. I mean this guy puts
on a new pair of glasses, and all of a sudden, everyone sees him
in a different light. People whisper behind his back, and his
life begins to change. The trailer makes no mention of racism
whatsoever, which shrouded "Focus" into an alluring
mystery. However, about ten minutes into the film, anti-Semitism
pervades the film and becomes its main focus. The sense of
mystery, which made the film appealing, evaporated.
"Focus" could have handled this more wisely by not
being so blunt about it.
It’s better to leave something for the audience to
wonder. I think it would have been more effective if the glasses
just made Mr. Newman looked "different," and not
necessarily Jewish. That would have made a more
powerful statement.
Not that there’s anything wrong with making a film about
racism. In fact, I am glad the issue is being addressed,
especially during the current backlash
against Muslim-Americans. However, "Focus" tries too
hard to be a commentary on prejudice, and falters in giving the
issue any real serious insight. The film makes everything so
simplified, that it lacks any sort of layer for such a grave
issue.
Another major problem that I had with "Focus" is with
the ambiguous main character. Lawrence Newman is not a racist by
any means. He buys his daily newspaper from Mr. Finkelstein’s
newsstand, and has no problem whatsoever with his neighbor being
Jewish. However, when his glasses make him look Jewish, he
fervently denies being of that faith, and constantly reminds
others that he is of Christian origin and of English background.
If he was so troubled by the taunts and the harassment, why
doesn’t he just take off the darn glasses? He has lived
without them before, so he can live without them in the future.
It would be different if Lawrence Newman kept the glasses on for
his firm principles against prejudice, but this is not the case.
He does not stand up for his Jewish neighbor whatsoever. In
fact, in one instance, he tells Mr. Finkelstein that he thinks
it to be best for his neighbor to consider moving. Mr.
Newman’s turnaround in the end comes a bit too late for the
film to be effective.
With all that aside, however, "Focus" does have a few
things going for it. The storytelling is taut and effective. The
cinematography of World War 2 America, with its bright colors of
patriotism, is a good backdrop against
the underlying darkness of hatred. “Focus” is also strongly
anchored by the performances. William H. Macy, one of the best
actors working in Hollywood
today, is great as Mr. Newman for he has a tact for playing men
who are misunderstood and extremely vulnerable. It is also
wonderful to see Laura Dern get a larger role this time around.
She was great in "Rambling Rose," which nabbed her an
Oscar nomination for Best Actress, and she has what it takes to
be a leading lady. The supporting cast is noteworthy too,
especially Meat Loaf and David Paymer.
Usually, I can get real opinionated about a movie, moments into
it, but I was ever so indecisive with "Focus." It
could have been a great film, but
its ups and downs leave it to be an alright movie.
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