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Focus 2001 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Neal Slavin
PG-13, 107 min. (mature themes, violence) |
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Starring: William H. Macy, Laura Dern, David Paymer, Meat Loaf Aday, Kay Hawtrey, Michael Copeman
Producers: Robert A. Miller, Neal Slavin
Screenplay: Kendrew Lascelles
Cinematography: Juan Ruiz Anchía
Distributor: Paramount Classics
Released: 10.19.01 (Limited) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Director Neal Slavin's film, Focus, about anti-Semitism set against the backdrop of an American community towards
the end of World War II, is as relevant now as it was then. Tragically, some anti-Semites probably simply shrugged at the news of the
Jewish Holocaust after the war, making themselves no better than the Nazis. As demonstrated in this film, the seeds of
racism can be buried deep into the psyches of people, resulting in almost comical levels of stupidity by the same people
who supposedly decide who is and isn't like them (whichever the ethnicity). Focus proves the irrationality of those who
are so insecure in their own minds, that it leads them to acts of violence against their fellow neighbors. The poignancy of
its message is particularly effective given the current state of the world today.
Lawrence Newman (William H. Macy) is a white, middle-class, middle-aged man who lives with his mother (Kay Hawtrey)
in an all-white community. When Finkelstein (David Paymer), a Jewish convenient store owner, moves into the neighborhood,
the community, led by Lawrence's next-door neighbor Fred (Meat Loaf Aday), begins a series of meetings with the "Union
Crusaders", a group aimed at ridding all-white havens of anyone unworthy of their company - in this case people of Jewish
origin. Lawrence is apathetic and indifferent, until one day at work (where he oversees the hiring of women typists) his
boss suggests he get some glasses. Ignoring advice from his mother that with glasses he "looks" Jewish, Lawrence is
demoted at work and eventually quits. He meets another Jewish-looking woman (although she's not), Gertrude (Laura Dern),
and soon his once friendly neighbors have pegged him as Jewish as Finkelstein, culminating in a showdown between the
community and themselves.
Focus' most effective weapon is in its ability to show what hatred and bigotry can do to even rational people. Lawrence
is not Jewish, but is quickly suspected when a change in his look makes the idea of his company uncomfortable for
those around him. Fred knowingly isolates Lawrence from his long-time friendship, too cowardly to stand up to the
masses who have decided he must be Jewish. The crumbling of a once solid friendship is hard to watch, as the film's
purpose is to convince its viewers that blind faith in a supposed "cause" will, more often than not, lead to illogical decisions.
Macy's turn as the shy, quiet Lawrence is a typically solid performance for him. His untapped inner strength is only revealed
when he's pushed to the brink by the ignorance of those around him, and, coupled with Dern's effective portrayal of Gertrude,
is able to convince the audience how difficult it is to stand up for what he believes in. Also, Paymer's Finkelstein is
courageous in the face of unrelenting threats of violence and prejudice. This kind of picture only works when its cast is
identifiable to the audience, and in that regard the cast is up to the task.
Focus is sure to generate discussion when the end credits roll, whether it be the guarded racism that eventually
exposed itself when provoked or the courage that it took to stand up to hatred even in the face of violence. And that
this story takes place during the war helps to shatter any myths of a utopian society free of some of the same feelings of racism
that enveloped the Axis powers of the time. The difference was that the majority of Americans at the time had the good sense
to understand that prejudice should never lead to racism and violence.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
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 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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