26 April 2004Cinema
Best Con Flicks?

I'm not talking about ex-Cons. I'm talking about Con-Artists. I'm talking about The Grifters, The Usual Suspects, The Thomas Crowne Affair (both the Steve McQueen original and the Pierce Brosnan remake), and Confidence.

For my money, the best hands down is David Mamet's The Spanish Prisoner with Campbell Scott as the dupe Joe Ross and Steve Martin brilliant in the role of Julian 'Jimmy' Dell, the slicker than slick con-man, proving once again that former comedians make the best actors.

The plot twists and turns and you suffer along with Ross as he muddles his way through and falls into a trap set by Dell. The pace is subtle. The music is sublime. The film is eminently watchable.

The only major problem with the film is Rebecca Pidgeon, an astonishingly horrible actress who only manages to work because, well, she's fucking the director.

Posted by andrew at April 26, 2004 07:41 AM


Comments

Matt Says:

I like those kinda movies too. I saw Shade the other night and thought it was good too.

April 27, 2004 02:18 PM
Rachel Says:

I love The Spanish Prisoner, too. Another favorite is Mamet's more recent Heist - I'm a huge Gene Hackman fan.

April 28, 2004 05:19 AM
Chris Says:

If you like Mamet and con movies, you should really check out his directorial debut, "House of Games." Amazing flick.

April 28, 2004 08:09 AM




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