Ridley Scott is best knownfor several hit movies, includingBlade Runner,Alien,andGladiator.He also has several masterpiece films that aren’t discussed as much, includingBlack Hawk DownandAmerican Gangster.However, he also has a fantastic movie that remains highly underrated and deserves much more love —Matchstick Men.
Ridley Scott released theblack comedy crime filmMatchstick Menin 2003.The film starsNicolas Cage as Roy Walter, a con artistdiagnosed with OCD and severe Tourette’s Syndrome, who runs cons withhis protégé Frank Mercer (Sam Rockwell).However, when Roy’s 14-year-old daughter Angela (Alison Lohman) shows up, it throws the operation into chaos.
Matchstick Men Is A Vastly Underrated Movie In Ridley Scott’s Career
Nicolas Cage & Sam Rockwell Are Conmen
Matchstick Menremains a highlyoverlooked and underrated movie for Ridley Scott.After three straight hits withGladiator,Hannibal,andBlack Hawk Down,Matchstick Menwas a smaller movie and ultimately became a box office flop. It seemed that fans wanted another blockbuster, and the film’s promotional work undersold its dark comedy.
Scott continued to struggle after that, when his next movie was a blockbuster, but one over which he lost control.Kingdom of Heavenended up being released in a hacked-up version. It was a critical failure before Scott redeemed himself later by releasing his director’s cut on home video, something that received massive critical praise.
However, forMatchstick Men,Scott received positive reviews despite the movie’s box office disappointment. The film was a dark comedy heist movie with numerous unexpected twists and turns, as well as an intelligent story. It has an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, andRoger Ebertgave it a perfect four out of four stars, praising the storytelling.
Matchstick Men May Also Be Nicolas Cage’s Most Underrated Movie
Nicolas Cage Was In The Middle Of A Career Transition
Not only wasMatchstick Mena masterpiece of storytellingfrom Ridley Scott, but it was also an acting showcase for its stars. Everyone was great in the film, includingNicolas Cage, who delivered his over-the-top actingwhile also reigning it in when needed to convey the more emotional parts of the story.
It also helped that he had sucha great cast to play off of, including Sam Rockwell,who was at the top of his game, and Alison Lohman, who, at 24, convincingly portrayed someone much younger. Despite its critical acclaim,Matchstick Mendidn’t get any award recognition, which was a crime.
Part of it might be that this was a few years after Nicolas Cage’s tenure as a leading action star, before he returned withNational Treasureone year later, and before he became a DTV regular. Fans didn’t expect much from him, and his performance inMatchstick Menproved otherwise.
