Matchstick Men

A post-pubescent Paper Moon with a hell of a hairpin twist, Matchstick Men features sublimely winning performances by Nicolas Cage, as an unhinged obsessive-compulsive con artist, and Alison Lohman (White Oleander) as his tomboy-cutie teenage daughter, who has such a gift for the grift that her dad goes into a tizzy of pride, consternation, and self-conscious moral conflict--as during the course of the biggest swindle of his career, Cage begins to enjoy fatherhood. The details are a tad confusing, but it hardly matters in a film so entertaining. Directed by Ridley Scott--who is surprisingly deft with comedy after a long career of outsized drama and action (Hannibal, Gladiator, Blade Runner, Alien)--Matchstick Men bounces along on a glib sense of whimsy that is a perfect fit for the talents of its cast, and while the ending is a little too tidy (and lingering doubts about the scam may come back later to bug you), the picture's overall panache and wit supersedes its faults. Recommended. [Note: Available in widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by director/producer Ridley Scott, co-writer Nicholas Griffin, and co-writer/producer Ted Griffin; the three-part production documentary “Tricks of the Trade” (72 min.); and a trailer. Bottom line: a nice extras package for a charming, if flawed,  comedy.] (R. Blackwelder)