CRIMINAL
Remember that "there's a sucker born
every minute" and that there are always
those who made their living seeking them
out. Master of the con game, Richard
Gaddis, (John C. Reilly), and his young
understudy, Rodrigo, (Diego Luna) team up
to pull off a big one. And, as in all good cons,
there is a host of players all up for their little
piece of the action. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a
standout as Richard's stuck up sister,
Valerie, who wants only to be done with him
and his schemes.
This English language version of the
Argentine film Nine Queens (2000) by Fabian
Bielinsky is directed by Gregory Jacobs. And
he does a fine job of playing his audience.
We never quite get the whole scam until the
very end and that is how it should be. The
Sting may be the epitome of con films, but
this one is right up there.
every minute" and that there are always
those who made their living seeking them
out. Master of the con game, Richard
Gaddis, (John C. Reilly), and his young
understudy, Rodrigo, (Diego Luna) team up
to pull off a big one. And, as in all good cons,
there is a host of players all up for their little
piece of the action. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a
standout as Richard's stuck up sister,
Valerie, who wants only to be done with him
and his schemes.
This English language version of the
Argentine film Nine Queens (2000) by Fabian
Bielinsky is directed by Gregory Jacobs. And
he does a fine job of playing his audience.
We never quite get the whole scam until the
very end and that is how it should be. The
Sting may be the epitome of con films, but
this one is right up there.
Mary’s comments
One of my favorite pastimes is watching a
good con film and trying to figure out who is
getting whom. Criminal does a fine job of
mapping out a good scam, not too
confusing and not too simple, but just right.
John C. Reilly is great as the hard nosed
con man who would even cheat a little-old-
lady, and does! This character plays very
well to Diego Luna's kind face, believable
demeanor and delicate touch with his
marks. See it, you will enjoy being
scammed.
One of my favorite pastimes is watching a
good con film and trying to figure out who is
getting whom. Criminal does a fine job of
mapping out a good scam, not too
confusing and not too simple, but just right.
John C. Reilly is great as the hard nosed
con man who would even cheat a little-old-
lady, and does! This character plays very
well to Diego Luna's kind face, believable
demeanor and delicate touch with his
marks. See it, you will enjoy being
scammed.
Brenda’s comments
Richard and Rodrigo make it look so easy,
it's a wonder we marks have anything at all.
Thanks to John C. Reilly and Diego Luna,
and the fine direction of Gregory Jacobs,
we get a peek at a side of life most of us
are usually not privy to. A well orchestrated,
convoluted scheme all concocted to bilk
some money out of the unsuspecting is
presented with a minimum of fuss. Well
staged!
Richard and Rodrigo make it look so easy,
it's a wonder we marks have anything at all.
Thanks to John C. Reilly and Diego Luna,
and the fine direction of Gregory Jacobs,
we get a peek at a side of life most of us
are usually not privy to. A well orchestrated,
convoluted scheme all concocted to bilk
some money out of the unsuspecting is
presented with a minimum of fuss. Well
staged!
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Publishers: Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
Movie Details
Official Movie Website
Theatrical Release
2004
Home Video
4/12/05 (DVD)
MPAA Rating
Rated R for language
Running Time
1 hour 27 minutes
Directed by
Gregory Jacobs
Cast
Kevin Spacey, Linda
Florentino, Colin Farrell
Studio
Warner Independent
Theatrical Release
2004
Home Video
4/12/05 (DVD)
MPAA Rating
Rated R for language
Running Time
1 hour 27 minutes
Directed by
Gregory Jacobs
Cast
Kevin Spacey, Linda
Florentino, Colin Farrell
Studio
Warner Independent
DVD Details
Disc Specs
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Widescreen 1.85
Audio
Dolby Surround 5.1 English
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Widescreen 1.85
Audio
Dolby Surround 5.1 English