Here's a film that features too many endings, and it would have been fine if the movie had ended just about the time we are so very surprised...but no, it had to go on and on, and become sentimental and contrived. Actually, the movie, which does have an incredible and strange beginning, begins to travel in too many directions of genre. We don't know if we're watching a comedy, satire, drama, or whatever. And until we learn the excellent plot twist, the film asks us to really stretch our acceptance of the plot and the characters, especially the teaching of one's daughter the skills of the con game. But everything makes sense when the twist is revealed, and that makes everything before it sensible and enjoyable.
Review of Matchstick Men
