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Focus

Play trailer Poster for Focus PG-13 2001 1h 46m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
57% Tomatometer 77 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Lawrence Newman (William H. Macy) is an ordinary man who doesn't want to stand out in a dangerous world. Then, unassuming Newman and his sexy, outspoken newlywed wife (Laura Dern) become caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Suddenly the unwitting focus of his neighbors' prejudice, Newman is faced with a choice - to go down as a coward or take a long shot at becoming the unlikeliest of heroes - and tell the truth.
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Focus

Focus

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Critics Consensus

Though full of good intentions, Focus somehow feels dated, and pounds away its points with a heavy hand.

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Critics Reviews

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Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Nov 6, 2002
3/4
It serves as a forceful reminder of how small a difference there can be between unity and bigotry. Go to Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Dec 9, 2001
2.5/5
Performances, the story's historical origins, and the inherent goodness and contemporaneity of its storyline make Focus a movie worth viewing. Go to Full Review Moira MacDonald Seattle Times Nov 16, 2001
Focus is well-meaning, but it's all looks with no substance. Go to Full Review Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Oct 9, 2003
5/5
Escrita em 1945, a histria concebida por Arthur Miller continua tragicamente atual. Felizmente, o diretor estreante Neal Slavin consegue capturar toda a complexidade e inteligncia do livro em um filme engrandecido por timas atuaes. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Nov 12, 2002
1/4
...exceptionally preachy... Go to Full Review Margaret A. McGurk Cincinnati Enquirer Oct 15, 2002
2.5/4
Its fine cast, particularly Mr. Macy, lift it above its limitations and lend grace to its once-again timely message. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert J @RockSteady Jul 25, 2026 Fell asleep. SLow with no really interesting plot. Performances were below par. See more Keith B B @Okbullard Mar 11, 2025 This was such an engaging film with great acting and storyline. William Macy was excellent as usual but Laura Dern did a great job. It's a shame how some people are treated in this country just because of their heritage. It's definitely worth the watch. See more Dec 22, 2017 Excellent film for today's viewers! given our current political climate of 2017 See more Feb 3, 2016 I finall y understood why my grandmother said, "We got a good name" meaning it was not a Jewish name..I finally understood how my grandfather. was intimidated into closing his store in Queens in the '40's, why my parents searched for a neighborhood with Jewish names on the plat and without restrictive covenants in the deeds and how people even in the 50's and 60's were fired if their boss found out they were Jewish. See more Dec 28, 2015 "Focus" tells of a bland and nonconfrontational man (Macy) who buys a pair of eye glasses which make him look Jewish after which be becomes the object of antisemitic hostility, etc, blaa, blaa. A kind of lame attempt at revealing antisemitism in America during WWII, the film features solid performances by Macy and Dern though no chemistry exists between them...or anywhere else in the film. Generic, staged, and pale in comparison to many better films about hatred in American, "Focus" is marginal entertainment at best and a very meager history lesson. Passable stuff. See more Jan 18, 2015 Buenas actuaciones , pero muy lenta , me aburrió. See more Read all reviews
Focus

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Cast & Crew

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Neal Slavin

Director

William H. Macy

Larry Newman

Laura Dern

Gertrude Hart

David Paymer

FInkelstein

Meat Loaf

Fred

Kay Hawtrey

Mrs. Newman

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Focus

Focus (2001) Focus (2001) Focus (2001) Director Neal Slavin on the set of the Paramount Classics film FOCUS. David Paymer as Finkelstein in the Paramount Classics film FOCUS, directed by Neal Slavin. William H.Macy stars as Lawrence Newman. Laura Dern as Gertrude Hart in the Paramount Classics film FOCUS, directed by Neal Slavin. David Paymer as "Finkelstein" Meat Loaf Aday as "Fred" View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lawrence Newman (William H. Macy) is an ordinary man who doesn't want to stand out in a dangerous world. Then, unassuming Newman and his sexy, outspoken newlywed wife (Laura Dern) become caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Suddenly the unwitting focus of his neighbors' prejudice, Newman is faced with a choice - to go down as a coward or take a long shot at becoming the unlikeliest of heroes - and tell the truth.
Director
Neal Slavin
Producer
Robert A. Miller
Screenwriter
Kendrew Lascelles, Arthur Miller
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Carros Pictures, Focus Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Sexual Content|Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 19, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$719.8K
Runtime
1h 46m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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