Ridley Scott: Ranking His Films From Worst To Best

6. Matchstick Men

A quirky crime caper comedy is an odd choice for Scott, but he characteristically rises to the occasion with one of his most enjoyable films, in large part thanks to Nicolas Cage, who delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as the con-artist protagonist struggling with OCD and is joined by the able and willing Sam Rockwell and Alison Lohman. The film gets so much right: its depiction of OCD feels on-point, the crime elements mesh well with the comedy and surprisingly sweet family plot-line, and of course, like any good film of the genre, there's a devilish twist to come. It doesn't at all feel like a typical Scott film, and it's refreshing to see him playing in a totally different wheelhouse. Sadly, despite the script and Cage's performance getting awards buzz, the film was shut out of the Oscars and didn't do much business at the box office. Without question, one of Scott's most under-appreciated movies.