5. Matchstick Men (2003)
The next time Matchstick Men pops up on cable (assuming you still have a subscription), give it a chance—you might be pleasantly surprised despite its seemingly ho-hum premise. Nicolas Cage stars as a neurotic, tic-riddled con man whose carefully constructed life of crime unravels when he meets his teenage daughter (Alison Lohman). Matchstick Men feels distinct from most of Ridley Scott’s filmography, its understated mise en scène lacking the grand scope and sensory overload typical of his work—except for a final twist so devastating it might knock you off your couch. What Matchstick Men does showcase, however, is another of Scott’s greatest strengths: collaborating with top-tier actors and bringing out their very best performances.
