CONFIDENCE tricksters are fertile themes for filmmakers, whether comedy (“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”) or intense drama (“The Wolf of Wall Street”).

“Focus” doesn’t exactly match either of those categories, but combines elements of both in a package of excitement, passion, romance, success and occasional failure, violence, excitement, tension, conflict and surprises. All of which in their own ways are marks of satisfying cinema.

Not great cinema but certainly a film that earns its keep from the day that Nicky (Will Smith) agrees to take on Jess (Margot Robbie) as a member of his team of dips, scammers and tricksters.

Petty crime as big business is a well-informed and skilfully prepared dish of entertaining cinema served up by co-writers/directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.

Nicky, Jess, Nicky’s closest friend Farhad (Adrian Martinez), the racing driver who engages Nicky to scam all the other drivers in the Argentine Grand Prix, minders of uber-rich characters whose wealth may have grown from dodgy practices, together form a fascinating population of characters any of whom may well turn out to be not what he or she at first view seems.

“Focus” is never boring. Smith’s performance is deft and engaging. Robbie is not merely beautiful; her portrayal of a woman for whom non-violent dishonesty is an arousing aphrodisiac is a joy to watch.

At all cinemas