The Grifters (1990)
Genre : con, grift
Rating : 2/5
Verdict : Not my kind of con movie
IMDB link click here
I like con or scam genre, and I have high expectation on this movie.
But too bad, I miss information that this movie is produced by Martin Scorcese, who (with all due respect), is not known for this genre.
So, the movie is his typical movie, dark portrayal about grifter’s life.
(imagine : Any Given Sunday, Gangs of New York).
The story is about three grifters.
Roy (John Cussack) is short con artist who avoids to be involved in long con.
He has a mysterious mother, Lily (Anjelica Houston) who is also involved in mob world and skims their money.
He has a girlfriend, Myra (brilliantly played by Annette Bening), who has a secret.
The first 30 minutes is so boring for me (but critics will find it good because it introduces the main three characters). You will find the real action in the last 30 minutes.
The movie is a very good movie, if we use Oscar criterias that are based on movie making competencies (which totally different from my criterias that are based on entertaining ingredients hehehe).
The characters are good, several scenes are riveting.
If you are into cinematic thing, read this Wiki article.
But for me the movie is big disappointment, since I expect to see a good con movie like Confidence or Nine Queens.
So, set your expectation right and you will enjoy the movie.
For ones who wish to see con movie, avoid!