Rating: R
Genre:
Crime
Theatrical Release: 09/10/2004(USA-Limited)
Release Date: 04/12/2005
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 87 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Adult Humor, Profanity
Distributor/Studio: Warner Home Video
A con artist finds family squabbles are getting in the way of a major payday in this sharp blend of
comedy and
suspense, based on the Argentinean hit
Nueve Reinas (aka
Nine Queens).
Richard Gaddis (
John C. Reilly) is a smart-suited confidence man who knows how to run a big con but prefers to pull off a number of small scams over the course of the day, cheating a lot of folks out of a little instead of taking one or two for a lot. One day, while looking for marks at a gambling casino,
Gaddis spies
Rodrigo (
Diego Luna), a fellow grifter with little polish but obvious talent.
Gaddis takes
Rodrigo under his wing, and after showing him a few tricks, the two begin working as a team. A golden opportunity presents itself when
Gaddis learns the whereabouts of an incredibly valuable antique bank note just as an ideal customer is passing through town;
Gaddis and
Rodrigo quickly try to set up a deal that will separate cash from customer without the note actually changing hands, but the scheme proves complicated enough that others have to be brought in, causing each individual's share of the loot to dwindle. Adding to
Gaddis' annoyance is the appearance of his sister
Valerie (
Maggie Gyllenhaal), who works at the hotel where the deal is to go down and isn't especially happy with her brother and his attempts to get his hands on the family's fortune.
Criminal marked the directorial debut of
Gregory Jacobs, who previously distinguished himself as a producer and assistant director.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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