Focus (2001)
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56% of critics liked it
(81 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(1,896 ratings)
Focus is based on a little-known novel by playwright Arthur Miller, written when he was a very young man, just after WWII. Produced by media mogul Michael Bloomberg, and directed by Neal Slavin, the film takes place in New York, during the war. William H. Macy of Fargo plays Lawrence Newman, a… More Focus is based on a little-known novel by playwright Arthur Miller, written when he was a very young man, just after WWII. Produced by media mogul Michael Bloomberg, and directed by Neal Slavin, the film takes place in New York, during the war. William H. Macy of Fargo plays Lawrence Newman, a middle-aged executive who lives with his mother. One night, he sees a neighbor cavorting with a Hispanic woman in the street. The incident turns ugly, and Lawrence later hears that the woman was raped and brutally assaulted. He tells no one. Faced with anti-Semitism at work and in his neighborhood, Lawrence resists joining the bigots, but he doesn't have the courage to stand up to them. He doesn't act when Fred (Meat Loaf Aday) and his other neighbors persecute the Jewish newsvendor, Finkelstein (David Paymer), who lives on the corner. But his lack of active participation in their efforts to drive Finkelstein out makes his neighbors suspicious. One day, Gertrude Hart (Laura Dern) walks into his office looking for a job. Lawrence is immediately struck by her flashy style and good looks, but he's been warned against hiring Jews. He suspects that she's Jewish, and she gets offended at his insinuations and storms out. Things get much worse for Lawrence when he gets a new pair of glasses. Everyone says they make him look Jewish. His boss decides he doesn't make the right impression, and tries to demote him. Lawrence is outraged and quits. He has trouble finding another job, until he runs into Gertrude again. The Jewish-owned firm she works for hires him. He apologizes to her and asks her out. They fall in love, and quickly marry. His neighbors, believing Gertrude is a Jew, grow more suspicious, and Lawrence soon finds himself in physical danger. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Neal Slavin
- Written By
- Kendrew Lascelles
- Genres
- Drama
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Oct 19, 2001 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Classics
Critic Reviews
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Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
It serves as a forceful reminder of how small a difference there can be between unity and bigotry.
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
No actor in the movies could have played this part better than Macy.
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
It is as heavyhanded as it is compelling, taking the subject of discrimination and turning it inside out, adding a new slant on corrupt thinking.
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Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Focus is well-meaning, but it's all looks with no substance.
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Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
A powerful though overwrought study of bigotry and fear.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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William H. Macy
as Lawrence Newman
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Laura Dern
as Gertrude Hart
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David Paymer
as Finkelstein
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Meat Loaf
as Fred
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Kay Hewtrey
as Mrs. Newman
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Michael Copeman
as Carlson
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Kenneth Welsh
as Father Crighton
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Joseph Zeigler
as Gargan
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Arlene Meadows
as Mrs. Dewitt
