IMDb >
Focus (2001/I)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsFocus (2001/I) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 16 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 3) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
2 May 2002 (Australia)
more
Tagline:
Everything Is About To Become Very Clear
Plot:
In the waning months of World War II, a man and his wife are mistakenly identified as Jews by their anti-Semitic Brooklyn neighbors...
more
| add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins
&
3 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Midway Point: Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2009: #5. A Serious Man
(From ioncinema. 9 July 2009)
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominees.
(From Movie Jungle. 11 December 2008, 8:33 AM, PST)
(From ioncinema. 9 July 2009)
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominees.
(From Movie Jungle. 11 December 2008, 8:33 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Fine film of Arthur Miller novel.
more (48 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| William H. Macy | ... | Lawrence 'Larry' Newman | |
| Laura Dern | ... | Gertrude 'Gert' Hart | |
| David Paymer | ... | Mr. Finkelstein | |
| Meat Loaf | ... | Fred (as Meat Loaf Aday) | |
| Kay Hawtrey | ... | Mrs. Newman | |
| Michael Copeman | ... | Carlson | |
| Kenneth Welsh | ... | Father Crighton | |
| Joseph Ziegler | ... | Mr. Gargan | |
| Arlene Meadows | ... | Mrs. Dewitt | |
| Peter Oldring | ... | Willy Doyle | |
| Robert McCarrol | ... | Meeting Hall Man (as Robert Mccarrol) | |
| Shaun Austin-Olsen | ... | Sullivan | |
| Kevin Jubinville | ... | Mr. Cole Stevens | |
| B.J. McQueen | ... | Mel | |
| Conrad Bergschneider | ... | Tough's Leader |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for thematic material, violence and some sexual content.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M |
Iceland:12 |
Finland:K-11 |
Argentina:13 |
Canada:PG |
Norway:15 |
USA:PG-13 (certificate #38298)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Anachronisms: About halfway through the movie, Larry and Gert are in an automobile. There is a vinyl "Sport Grip Steering Wheel Cover" laced around the steering wheel of the car. It is noticeable due to its distinctive pattern of perforations and cushioning. This item was not in existence in 1944, the year the movie is set in.
more
Quotes:
Lawrence 'Larry' Newman:
Really, Gertrude, I never stop thinking about you. It's like I've been thinking about you for years. That's why you struck me so the first time I saw you.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Shanghai Kiss (2007)
more
Soundtrack:
Shivers
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (48 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Focus (2001/I)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| FOCUS dedicated to Freida Olive Burkhart | stephanlinsenhoff |
| possible spoilers | oswaldo7777 |
| I REMEMBER | jamesmorrison91 |
| Was Gerty In Fact Jewish? | LorNic |
| Very good movie... | MaxQuant |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Sunshine | The Believer | Enemies: A Love Story | Giant | Haven |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |














For many, perhaps Arthur Miller is most famous for his 4 1/2 years married to Marilyn Monroe. For me, it is his Death of a Salesman for which I did a lengthy report as a college assignment in the mid-60s. I had never heard of Focus, and it is a movie that few have seen. An interesting premise, well-executed. His WASP-ish everyman character in 1943 (during the war) comes under attack after he gets a pair of new eyeglasses, which apparently makes him "look Jewish." His Americanism is questioned, his garbage is overturned, is forced to quit his job, he gets thrown out of a union rally when he fails to stand up and clap, he and his wife get roughed up by thugs on the street at night. The film is an examination of our tolerance for prejudicial treatment of others, then our own reaction towards such treatment.
The critic Ebert has a fine and complete review. William Macy, David Paymer, Laura Dern, and Meat Loaf Aday are all fine in their roles. A worthwhile 106 minutes of thought-provoking entertainment. The DVD, which was a free loan from my local library, has a sharp picture and good use of DD 5.1 sound. There is a very interesting extra which includes Arthur Miller discussing his book and the movie.