IMDb > Matchstick Men (2003)
Matchstick Men
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Matchstick Men (2003) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 84 | slideshow) Videos (see all 10)
Matchstick Men (2003) -- Pre, "This Summer"
Matchstick Men (2003) -- hv-post
Matchstick Men (2003) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   42,893 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 19% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Eric Garcia (book)
Nicholas Griffin (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Matchstick Men on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 September 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
lie cheat steal rinse repeat
Plot:
A phobic con artist and his protégé are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the former's teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
Nice change of pace for Ridley! more (317 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Nicolas Cage ... Roy Waller

Sam Rockwell ... Frank Mercer

Alison Lohman ... Angela

Bruce Altman ... Dr. Klein

Bruce McGill ... Chuck Frechette

Jenny O'Hara ... Mrs. Schaffer

Steve Eastin ... Mr. Schaffer

Beth Grant ... Laundry Lady

Sheila Kelley ... Kathy
Fran Kranz ... Slacker Boyfriend
Tim Kelleher ... Bishop

Nigel Gibbs ... Holt
Bill Saito ... Pharmacist #1

Tim Maculan ... Pharmacist #2

Stoney Westmoreland ... Man in Line
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, violence, some sexual content and language.
Runtime:
116 min | Canada:120 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor) | Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Roy's pills are actually Benadryl, a popular over-the-counter allergy medicine. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Angela's plate of eggs moves between shots. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Roy: Uno, due, tre.
more
Soundtrack:
Leaning on a Lamp Post more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
32 out of 37 people found the following comment useful.
Nice change of pace for Ridley!, 24 February 2004
8/10
Author: Thomas Jolliffe (supertom-3) from Marlow, England

The latest effort from Ridley Scott equates to Spielberg's latest, Catch Me If You Can. It is a nice, technically simple film that follows their more epic, effects, and set piece driven movies preceding them. Spielberg followed Minority Report and AI, whereas Scott is following Gladiator, Hannibal and Black Hawk Down. It is a nice and welcome change of pace for a master director, as CMIYC was to Spielberg.

The film stars Nicholas Cage, who is making up for some lost years thanks to his role here and of course in Adaptation. Cage plays an obsessive compulsive con man who has an obsession of cleanliness and a fear germs and wide open spaces, and is hyped up on prescription drugs. Cage is superb here, it is a great performance, amusing and likeable. This is the sort of quirky character that brings the best out of Nic Cage. Co-starring as Cages partner in crime is the up and coming Sam Rockwell. I have been a fan of his since I first saw him in Charlie's Angels and then in his best role thus far in Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. He was superb in Confessions and looks like he could be a top new star. Rockwell plays his character here with panache. Also starring as Cages daughter who turns up out the blue is Alison Lohman. Lohman is playing a 14 year old, who Cage has never seen and didn't know of at the start of the film. Lohman is much older in real life and so playing a 14 year is something she can do well but with the maturity and actress of that actual age may not have. Lohman is a lovely presence, she is charming and sweet and endearing to the audience, she is also a good young actress.

The film is funny, charming and simplistic. It doesn't tax too much and is a quick and pleasant, much like junk food, only more good for you. I love it when Scott does his big epic and more elaborate films but this is a good change of pace, that Scott must have really enjoyed. It is something he could do with his eyes closed compared to say Gladiator.

The film is well paced and there is a great twist that lets the film end on a real high. This is a good use of a great cast, and imaginatively edited. Overall a pleasing viewing. ****

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (317 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Matchstick Men (2003)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Was Roy's Old Doctor (SPOILERS) Azurewraith92
*beep* mon! levi_jones
my alternate ending twist wrrwrrw
Query about giving out the password at the end historyofasteamengine
Wow now I dont feel so guilty..lol chicagoridge8
Checkout girl/ex wife - (Heather/Cathy) mark-3115
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Revolver Crank Wonderland Nueve reinas Buffalo '66
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.