"FOCUS", a film adaptation of Arthur Miller's 1945 novel, is not an easy watch. It's intellectually provocative and frustrating.  Set during 1945, in a New York neighborhood, Lawrence Newman has gotten by in life just fine by taking a totally passive role.  He soon learns that his complacency is coming back to hurt him, when he becomes the object of prejudice after simply getting a pair of glasses which make him "look" jewish! 

Making his directorial debut, Neal Slavin shows some visual flair, but he allows some of the imagery to become overly metaphorical and confusing as the viewer is busy trying to comprehend complexities already unfolding.

William H. Macy is great, although it's actually hard to accept either him or Laura Dern as the "stereotypical" image of being "jewish" that the neighbors are supposedly taking them for.  Meat loaf is continuing to roll out one memorable performance after another, as evidenced in "FIGHT CLUB" and "Crazy in Alabama", and now here!

PARAMOUNT has preserved the film's correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement. This is a sharp picture with vibrant colors coming across the screen with flair and no sense of oversaturation.  There's no grain. Fleshtones appear natural. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and grays.

The film has a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundmix, and while the film is extremely dialogue conscious, there's a surprising amount of rear speaker and directional effect activity throughout the film.  It's really impressive to have such a "talky" and reflective film, so filled with atmosphere permeating both the front and rear soundstage.

A brief featurette is offered, but it's not insightful and thoroughly promotional.