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Matchstick Men
Matchstick Men
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Matchstick Men

Matchstick Men

2003
Comedy, Drama
1h 56m
A phobic con artist and his protege are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the con artist's teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly. (imdb)

Directed by:

Ridley Scott

Screenwriter:

Ted Griffin, Nicholas Griffin, Eric Garcia

Starring:

Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman, Melora Walters, Sam Rockwell, Bruce McGill, Steve Eastin, Sheila Kelley, Beth Grant, Jenny O'Hara, Fran Kranz, Tim Kelleher, Nigel Gibbs

Genres:

Comedy, Drama, Crime

Country:

USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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Matchstick Men

2003
Comedy, Drama
1h 56m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 52.52% from 5158 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
68
32nd
Not much to dislike about this movie, but it doesn't stick with you long. I won't spoil anything, but there's a major plot point that's a little far-fetched. Not so crazy that it's unbelievable, but distracting nonetheless.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
farzanFarzan
Rated 12 Feb 2007
82
78th
I went into Matchstick men not expecting much, but I got a lot more than I bargained for. It was heartwarming at first, but the conclusion really changed that, and took me by surprise, even though I was sort of...expecting it. Ridleys still got it.
Rated 12 Feb 2007
doyler29doyler29
Rated 10 Apr 2023
80
68th
Cage is in really fine form here. He turns in a big performance, but not an uncontrolled one. Rockwell and Lohman are also absolutely wonderful. After the big twist happens and the dust settles, there's a coda that deals with the film's real themes and is really quite sublime.
Rated 10 Apr 2023
lexlex
Rated 02 Dec 2012
80
53rd
Nick Cage is awesome in this. A simple, clever piece of entertainment from Scott thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. I wish he would make more films this solid in execution.
Rated 02 Dec 2012
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 04 Apr 2010
8
78th
(2nd viewing) A great effort from Scott, the three leading actors are wonderful together. Cage is excellent, playing a neurotic con artist forced to juggle his private and professional life while dealing with his own personal issues, hitting all the right notes along the way. We sympathize with him and Lohman serves as a potent counterbalance. Everything is backed up by a thoroughly involving script. A very nice caper film, see it.
Rated 04 Apr 2010
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 25 Aug 2009
74
69th
It was an ok movie. Sometimes it was boring, but it had it's enjoyable parts.
Rated 25 Aug 2009
spamhead80spamhead80
Rated 23 Mar 2008
65
26th
I liked the conning aspects (con-men pulling a con on another), but there wasn't much depth to this.
Rated 23 Mar 2008
drewlephantDrewlephant
Rated 24 Aug 2007
50
22nd
Forgettable Nicolas Cage vehicle.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
videoetronVideoetron
Rated 20 Oct 2024
73
85th
Some thing I saw coming a mile away from having seen similar plot in a tv show, so it spoilt it a bit, but it was still fun and interesting. Cage plays a different kind of madness than his more usual kinds of madness, that is variety!
Rated 20 Oct 2024
harmonicaHarmonica
Rated 04 Sep 2024
76
58th
Remembered score but this is secretly one of my favourite movies. Cage and Rockwell are fantastic giving two of their best performances and a fantastic double act. [I find it incredible I didn't rate this film two decades ago. Maybe Criticker just forgot it at some point. Oh well!]
Rated 04 Sep 2024
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 01 Dec 2023
71
46th
Pretty good but not quite great. Cage is strong, as is Lohman, but the Rockwell character didn't add a ton for me. I kind of saw the ending coming, and while most films that end with this kind of idea require some suspension of disbelief at the sheer number of coincidences it would take, this one goes even further than most. The relationship with Cage and Lohman is really well done and they had great screen chemistry.
Rated 01 Dec 2023
kenmeistersKenMeisters
Rated 16 Jun 2022
70
57th
Smart con heist movie that lives off Cage playing out as many phobias as he can. The father-daughter-plot is sweet enough to be invested in both characters. Altogether quite good.
Rated 16 Jun 2022
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 20 Jan 2022
54
32nd
The con man and estranged daughter plots are a little too familiar, but the main character is different enough to shake things up. Cage's performance is all over the place here. He's mostly pretty good in the part but has a few moments where he isn't believable in the slightest. The daughter is supposed to be 14 but is written like she's 9 or 10. The original score sounds like it was composed for a movie with a much goofier tone. I thought the twist was obvious; pretty implausible too.
Rated 20 Jan 2022
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 12 Dec 2021
40
2nd
Viewed December 5, 2021. Every directorial choice Ridley Scott makes is so offensive to my sensibilities that whatever charms this offers - a redemption story masquerading as a caper with a pretty good Nicolas Cage performance at its center - are completely diminished. Scott's dull, grey visual style is just so aggravating, and it gets ten times worse when he utilizes all these hackneyed point-of-view shots and jarring transitions.
Rated 12 Dec 2021
jpfergusonJPFerguson
Rated 01 Jul 2021
45
21st
I've only seen this once and that was at the cinema when it was released, so my memory is a bit hazy as it tends to be with unmemorable films. But I do recall that I appreciated the darkness of the humour. Also, this was before Cage became a caricature of himself so he was actually enjoyable to watch (unlike now).
Rated 01 Jul 2021
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 27 Jun 2021
74
68th
So if it makes me happy to see Nic Cage going absolutely haywire in movies, who can blame me? Liked the ending, plus Sam Rockwell, of course.
Rated 27 Jun 2021
margustaMargusTa
Rated 06 Dec 2020
81
79th
Ridley Scott got known to me with horror movie Alien. Here he is directing a con-artist movie. This is genre where many great directors are failed. Matchstick is a rather brilliant movie. Scott did well as all other staff and cast.
Rated 06 Dec 2020
thatyoungmthatyoungm
Rated 26 May 2020
88
60th
I really enjoyed this hidden gem from Ridley Scott, a distinct departure from his usually more blockbuster films. Nicolas Cage gives about as subtle a performance as Nicolas Cage does these days as an OCD-ridden con man and the film doesn't lose the chemistry between its characters amid its twisting and turning plot. It's funny, intriguing, and the twist endings are well executed.
Rated 26 May 2020
edwardedward
Rated 07 Sep 2018
72
54th
Watchable, but only because of Cage. The story is weak.
Rated 07 Sep 2018
klunsenKlunsen
Rated 01 Aug 2018
50
49th
dont remember
Rated 01 Aug 2018
cloudkickerCloudKicker
Rated 03 Feb 2018
56
17th
I can't remember this movie.
Rated 03 Feb 2018
prestobixPrestoBix
Rated 21 Apr 2017
73
52nd
Seen 2x
Rated 21 Apr 2017
cluedon657Cluedon657
Rated 08 Apr 2017
7
43rd
Other than a poorly executed twist Matchstick Men is solidly entertaining and sweetly funny.
Rated 08 Apr 2017
sky72205sky72205
Rated 08 Nov 2016
100
61st
Great story, engaging characters
Rated 08 Nov 2016
boomdiddlyboomdiddly
Rated 21 Jun 2016
47
24th
The con is really on the audience, with characters saying and doing things they never would only to make THE TWIST shocking. It's poor storytelling.
Rated 21 Jun 2016
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 31 May 2016
73
37th
This movie is a little slow at times but there are a number of good moments. The cast does a good job with the material, in particular Alison Lohman is great. The script has some good moments, overall I would recommend this film.
Rated 31 May 2016
benoliver999benoliver999
Rated 04 Apr 2015
60
42nd
Roger Ebert suggested this should have been Oscar nominated, I wouldn't go that far but you could to worse than to spend a couple of hours with Matchstick Men.
Rated 04 Apr 2015
rymRYM
Rated 29 Mar 2015
65
58th
3.24/5
Rated 29 Mar 2015
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 22 Feb 2015
78
62nd
Enjoyable, but like every movie about con games eventually you wait for the other shoe and oh look - the film has conned you! Here it's not the worst, I think I got through about 75% of the film before piecing together some nice little hints throughout, and then the finale just provided a nice little bow on the proceedings. Nic Cage is great, but I'd like to give some praise to the lighting and editing - great use of sunlight/shadow and some excellent shots and sequences which feel very unhinged
Rated 22 Feb 2015
wicheWiche
Rated 29 Jul 2014
77
74th
Quite solid with some firm directing. I liked this film with a Nicolas Cage in his better days. He nicely depicts a man on the edge because of all his ticks and the care for a daughter he never saw before. The twist in the ending might be predictable and because of that not what we were hoping for, but in my eyes the best way to end this film.
Rated 29 Jul 2014
theescapistTheEscapist
Rated 10 May 2014
62
27th
Generally not a fan of con films, or films where the main character is a criminal and the film tries to justify it without properly being able to do so. Nothing special, the comedy is not that funny, the drama is quite shallow and the crime is kind of average. It starts off somewhat entertaining, but there are some really boring moments as well. I didn't think the performances were that great either, kind of standard fare. Personally I wouldn't recommend it, though there are easily worse films.
Rated 10 May 2014
rttntomatoesrttntomatoes
Rated 06 Jan 2014
82
59th
Breezy and well-acted, Matchstick Men focuses more on the characters than on the con.
Rated 06 Jan 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 22 Sep 2013
78
58th
77.500
Rated 22 Sep 2013
hofschneiderHofschneider
Rated 22 Apr 2013
76
49th
Rockwell. Always Rockwell. Why is this guy not a star?!
Rated 22 Apr 2013
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 17 Apr 2013
88
56th
Matchstick Men is solidly written and directed. Not only that, but the leads are very impressive. Not awesome, but very good. It's a nice touching drama with funny parts in it and it's beautifully filmed. One of Cages best roles.
Rated 17 Apr 2013
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 22 Jan 2013
65
69th
Matchstick Men is a good film featuring fascinating stories and a very enjoyable performance by Nicolas Cage. While I'm not sure if it all holds up with closer inspection, I know that I'll be watching it again at some point in the future so that I can find out. All three leading performances were strong, although I would have liked to see more of Sam Rockwell. This is a film that you should definitely give a chance, especially if you're a fan of either Cage or Scott.
Rated 22 Jan 2013
alex_wsAlex WS
Rated 19 Jan 2013
70
64th
Ridley Scotts does a new genre again. That's cool.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 04 Jul 2012
80
78th
I'm a sucker for con-men movies, especially ones that star two of my favorite actors (Sam Rockwell and Nicolas Cage).
Rated 04 Jul 2012
lunheurlunheur
Rated 20 May 2012
80
65th
Went in dry...felt good man
Rated 20 May 2012
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 28 Oct 2011
25
61st
"The film's con is written in everything from the sometimes tongue-in-cheek dialogue to the retro songs that make the story difficult to place on an actual timeline." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 28 Oct 2011
nothingsgoodNothingsGood
Rated 22 Jun 2011
75
83rd
Anyone who hates Nic Cage needs to watch this movie and then commit seppuku. The Alison Lohman/Mark Nevildine marriage might be the single most lopsided Hollywood couple in terms of talent ever to pair.
Rated 22 Jun 2011
movieboymovieboy
Rated 04 Apr 2011
75
93rd
I was surprised by this movie. The scenes with Cage & the kid work really well.
Rated 04 Apr 2011
redfalconRed_Falcon_
Rated 20 Mar 2011
75
73rd
The chemistry between Nicolas Cage and Alison Lohman really shines throughout this film.They made this a fun and enjoyable film.
Rated 20 Mar 2011
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 17 Jan 2011
55
35th
+ worth experiencing
Rated 17 Jan 2011
glmglm
Rated 02 Jan 2011
77
59th
77.000
Rated 02 Jan 2011
valenzettiValenzetti
Rated 13 Oct 2010
70
39th
In a word: alright. Not too much to complain about, not too much to get excited about. If I ever develop a pronounced nervous tic, I hope it won't look as hilarious as Nic Cage's does here.
Rated 13 Oct 2010
tavingtonTavington
Rated 19 Sep 2010
2
37th
Ordinary con movie. Made almost by the book(only exception is the ending).
Rated 19 Sep 2010
boombatBoombat
Rated 26 Aug 2010
80
71st
stylish, with a twist
Rated 26 Aug 2010
gedengeden
Rated 27 May 2010
70
50th
Alison Lohman is pretty good in this film.
Rated 27 May 2010
moviemglMoviemgl
Rated 12 Mar 2010
95
76th
One of my favorite performances by Cage. Don't miss this gem.
Rated 12 Mar 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 22 Dec 2009
76
31st
Interesting performance from Nicholas Cage, and the film is entertaining too.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
foobekahFoobekah
Rated 14 Dec 2009
97
90th
Talk about a twist at the end! I was floored!
Rated 14 Dec 2009
plainview9Plainview9
Rated 18 Nov 2009
90
63rd
Any good Nicholas Cage performance usually ends up in a good movie. This is the case here.
Rated 18 Nov 2009
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 05 Oct 2009
9
93rd
Ridley Scott tries to be George Roy Hill and it works brilliantly. Really entertaining, fun movie. Nic Cage proves he just needs a good script to be watchable, maybe if he learned what a good script was we could see him in more stuff like this and Adaptation. Rockwell and Lohman are always enjoyable to watch, so that's a plus. My favorite Scott film.
Rated 05 Oct 2009
ocelotOcelot
Rated 26 Aug 2009
65
64th
Lacks focus. Rockwell and Cage are a joy to watch as always, though.
Rated 26 Aug 2009
anselmi86Anselmi86
Rated 03 Aug 2009
64
43rd
Slightly unorthodox movie for someone like Scott, but he pulls it off, for the most part.
Rated 03 Aug 2009
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 31 Jul 2009
85
83rd
One of the few movies where Cage's idiosyncracies help out.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
pigletPiglet
Rated 23 Jul 2009
72
68th
Rockwell steals the show!
Rated 23 Jul 2009
johnshaftjohnshaft
Rated 02 Jul 2009
80
70th
A nice pleasant film with some good character interaction that never tries to become more than it really is and contains more than its fair share of witty dialogue and some good performances as well.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
rocketluccoRocketlucco
Rated 28 Jun 2009
65
57th
Overall Enjoyment: 30/40, Plot/Themes: 15/20, Cinematography/Direction: 10/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20
Rated 28 Jun 2009
jebJeb
Rated 13 Jun 2009
81
66th
Some beneficially conversant acting from the select cast and with an elaborate coalescence and amalgamation of three stories connected together (which is then professionally fastened into one integrated scenario) holds Matchstick Men up from nonentity and normal standards. A good watch from Scott.
Rated 13 Jun 2009
ediblenapalmediblenapalm
Rated 20 May 2009
50
22nd
As wonderful as the vast majority of this is, it is just as abysmal in its cumulative effect, transforming an innovative, heartfelt, purely human tale into one that is as shallow as every con film that has come before it. For the sheer promise it held for so long, and its jarring plunge into maddening mediocrity by the end credits roll, this movie may just rank as the most disappointing film of 2003.
Rated 20 May 2009
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 06 Apr 2009
59
48th
ger; [Tricks];
Rated 06 Apr 2009
dewalldewall
Rated 15 Feb 2009
75
77th
Saw it on a plane
Rated 15 Feb 2009
achewoodACHEWOOD
Rated 14 Feb 2009
72
25th
boring
Rated 14 Feb 2009
avalonianavalonian
Rated 08 Feb 2009
80
78th
I love Nic Cage. He makes me smile, and I love watching him con and be conned.
Rated 08 Feb 2009
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 01 Feb 2009
80
90th
Nice
Rated 01 Feb 2009
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 26 Jan 2009
75
74th
A good Cage movie.
Rated 26 Jan 2009
smootysveensmootysveen
Rated 31 Oct 2008
80
74th
I wasn't going to say it in the beginning, but by the end I was like, "See, I knew that chick was hot."
Rated 31 Oct 2008
joojooJooJoo
Rated 27 Sep 2008
3
32nd
Rockwell & Cage is a pairing I'd like to see more of, but this movie is really forgettable outside of them.
Rated 27 Sep 2008
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 15 Aug 2008
82
68th
One of Cage's best performances. The story is pretty clever and entertaining.
Rated 15 Aug 2008
el_caminoEl Camino
Rated 06 Aug 2008
86
90th
I haven't been a Nic Cage fan since Valley Girls, but I liked him in this film
Rated 06 Aug 2008
hankhank
Rated 20 Jul 2008
70
36th
An interesting movie about con men.
Rated 20 Jul 2008
kavkav
Rated 12 Jul 2008
70
57th
For once I don't detest Cage. In fact I rather like this film about a conman with OCD.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
gr8googlyGr8Googly
Rated 20 Jun 2008
81
76th
Funny and clever Ridley Scott tale about con artists with plenty of twists and the good Nick Cage (think Raising Arizona's Hy with a OCD complex)
Rated 20 Jun 2008
nimnonimno
Rated 16 Jun 2008
85
82nd
This movie turned out to be a real surprise. I bought it from the $5 bin at Wal Mart and thought it wouldn't amount to much. It turned out to be not only a watchable drame, but had a great twist ending. You could imagine everything in the movie actually happening. Surprisingly enjoyable since I knew nothing about it before I watched it.
Rated 16 Jun 2008
cestmoicestmoi
Rated 06 Jun 2008
75
48th
Sam Rockwell saves the day.
Rated 06 Jun 2008
krikriKrikri
Rated 01 May 2008
10
17th
10 to nicolas cage
Rated 01 May 2008
salah_kureSalah Kure
Rated 24 Mar 2008
91
75th
It is in these kind of movies the Nick Cage is brilliant... really funny..
Rated 24 Mar 2008
sentry04Sentry04
Rated 15 Mar 2008
56
14th
Very little comedy.
Rated 15 Mar 2008
doctor7doctor7
Rated 24 Feb 2008
64
44th
Sam Rockwell is the real highlight of the film for me and he gets very little screen time in comparison to Nicolas Cage. To be fair, even though I normally don't like Nicolas Cage, I thought he was pretty good in this. However the movie just seemed forgettable. I've never been a fan of con movie flicks though. There is some trademark Ridley Scott visuals which are a treat for a movie buff but certainly doesn't make the movie essential viewing unless you love con flicks.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
digiDigi
Rated 14 Feb 2008
94
78th
Very good movie, good ending
Rated 14 Feb 2008
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 12 Jan 2008
85
88th
Fun and engaging characters, with many surprises in the story.
Rated 12 Jan 2008
altf4altf4
Rated 29 Dec 2007
73
60th
I liked this movie when I saw it like 4 years ago, but not a lot
Rated 29 Dec 2007
infamous639infamous639
Rated 12 Nov 2007
90
42nd
I thought it was great, I loved the way in which Cage had taught peiople the ways in which cheating and conning your way through life can bring happiness as well as emptiness.
Rated 12 Nov 2007
ubercheuberche
Rated 15 Oct 2007
88
68th
much better than i was expecting. of course I wasn't expecting much.
Rated 15 Oct 2007
paula373paula373
Rated 24 Sep 2007
75
45th
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie; the story of a small time con artist, Roy - NIcholas Cage- who has some definite character quirks (OCD, Agoraphobia). Roy is united with the daughter he didn't know existed and his work and newfound family begin to mix in unexpected ways.
Rated 24 Sep 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 15 Sep 2007
85
94th
Sharp film. Impressive in all aspects. Wonderfully entertaining.
Rated 15 Sep 2007
bearBear
Rated 15 Sep 2007
95
94th
Nicholas cage is hilarious. Alison Lohman plays a teen to perfection. Witty plot that weaves its way to a satisfying conclusion.
Rated 15 Sep 2007
kewlitokewlito
Rated 04 Sep 2007
70
56th
Kinda corny, but still worth seeing.
Rated 04 Sep 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 31 Aug 2007
70
69th
Good
Rated 31 Aug 2007
prisonerPrisoner
Rated 18 Aug 2007
40
8th
Somewhat forgettable.
Rated 18 Aug 2007
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
65th
Actually a great film. Not much else to be said.. One of Cage's finest achievements as an actor.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
sebageeksebageek
Rated 14 Aug 2007
22
23rd
Blah blah blah. Nick Cage is good in it though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
49th
Didn't like the ending.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stealth1138Stealth_1138
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
0th
It's a good movie that loses steam at the end and derails. Worth watching, but be prepared to dislike the ending.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mjbitesMJbites
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
9th
Maybe if the ending weren't so spectaularly stupid, I'd like this movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
7
84th
Mixes three seemingly disparate stories - a criminal planning a big heist, an obsessive compulsive man dealing with his issues, and a father meeting his grown daughter for the first time, all of whom happen to be the same man - with comedic panache. Very entertaining.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
rdwn29905rdwn29905
Rated 14 Aug 2007
41
28th
there was a time there when nicolas cage took nearly any movie out there... and that time better end soon...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
toolboitoolboi
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
46th
Not a perfect film, but good. Fun story, nice twists, good characters, and of course amazing directing and attention to detail.
Rated 14 Aug 2007

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