The Grifters (Miramax Collector's Series)

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Annette Bening twists like a mink on a leash through Stephen Frears's adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel. This may be the perfect trope for the moral hysteria that coils around a mother, her son, and his girlfriend in this slender but highly pleasurable neo-noir. Small in effect and local in scope, the film is about small-fry, attractive, bloodless con artists who view the world as neatly split between ropers and suckers, grifters and squares. "Grifter's got an irresistible urge to beat a guy that's wise," an old-timer tells Roy (John Cusack). And yet the three characters here--played by Angelica Huston, Cusack, and Bening--only beat the innocent: Lilly (Huston) gigs at the track for a mobster named Bobo, putting wads of cash on long-shot horses to even out the odds. Roy, her son, swindles citizens by dimes and degrees, flashing twenties at bars then paying for his beer with tens. His girlfriend, Myra (Bening), is hustling herself, her salad days as a long-con roper behind her. Theirs is a world of gut punches and smart lines, and the adrenaline these cheats and chiselers live by is palpable onscreen. But a larger canvas? Maybe it's there as a parallel universe. "What do you sell again?" Myra asks Roy, the matchbook salesman. "Self-confidence," he says, a wry allusion to the confidence game all three of them are playing. The movie boasts dazzling turns by Bening, Cusack, and especially Huston, whose mère fatale breaks new ground for noir. --Lyall Bush

Description

Academy Award(R)-winning actress Anjelica Huston (Best Supporting Actress, PRIZZI'S HONOR, 1985), John Cusack (SERENDIPITY), and Annette Bening (AMERICAN BEAUTY) star in this acclaimed hit where seduction and betrayal could lead to murder! When small-time cheat Roy Dillon (Cusack) winds up in the hospital following an unsuccessful scam, it sets up a confrontation between his estranged mother Lilly (Huston) and sexy girlfriend Myra (Bening). Both Lilly and Myra are ruthless confidence artists playing the con game in a league far above Roy ... and always looking for their next victim! The question soon becomes who's conning who as Roy finds himself caught in a complicated web of passion and mistrust!

Customer Reviews:

Great Writing, Acting Make This A Superior 'Noir'.......2007-09-09

Here is a modern-day "film noir," if I ever saw one. You get sleazy characters with no morals, brutal attitudes, some interesting photography and a story that is not exactly a happy one - all the ingredients of a good noir. Since the film is a 1990 one and not the '40s and '50s (in which purists think that's the only period for noirs), you also get nudity and profanity.

The best part of the film, to me, is the fact that the three leading characters are so interesting. You never know what these intriguing characters are going to do next. John Cusack, Angelica Huston and Annette Bening are all fascinating. Three supporting guys in here are fantastic, too: Pat Hingle, J.T. Walsh and Charles Napier. Overall, this is a wonderful cast that does full justice to this unusual crime story.

The story has a mean edge to it most of the way, but that's the style of writer Jim Thompson, who is a very good crime author who wrote the novel on which this movie is based. He has written several fascinating books. Donald Westlake, who wrote the screenplay, is a prolific crime story writer.

There is not a lot of action in this film but when it occurs, it is shocking and brutal. This movie always entertains me every time I view it.

More Grift for DeMille.......2007-06-02

This Hollywood look at con artists is well done. The casting is near perfection. Classy Annette Benning in her youth has a smoking-hot body as well as an excellent grasp of her part, and she shows it all several times. This is almost a film noir in its dialogue, character depictions, and stylized presentation, but it has too much "light" to win that prize. John Cusack and Anjelica Houston are at the top of their form for portraying "brooding" and "steel hardness", respectively. The story is good if a little forced. Supporting cast is also top notch.

Classic Film Noir.......2007-03-18

It is a simple, well-shot and straight-forward film.
All greed and deceit.
With a surprise ending.
A definate must-see!

Semi-serious, dream-like movie in dealing with a serious theme .......2007-01-28

GRIFTERS is an entertaining movie, having no real beginning
middle or ending. Its goal is to underline a very specialized,
and specific behavior carried out by a limited number of people, of
small time scams, also known as grifting. Perhaps at the time
the movie was released, pop culture found this type of theme somewhat
hip and cool in a flic, but in any event, the strong aspect of this movie,
are the 3 main actors, who very skillfully give out an aura of
semi-seriousness, in a movie that itself, deals with a theme that
normally could be taken very literally, seriously and dramatically.

It also has many dream-like elements, which is difficult to do,
unless the story is written and filmed by experienced pro's, which
was the case in this movie.

Finally, Anjelica Huston, John Cusack and Annette Benning all
visibly sport a lot of charisma, pleasure and natural excitement
in playing their roles, and clearly, the audience will appreciate
that aspect, as well, since the comedy side to the film is also
appreciated by a lot of viewers.

Perhaps the best of the 90s genre.......2006-07-14

Perhaps this was the best directorial accomplishment for Stephen Frears. Perhaps it was the roles of a lifetime for Huston, Cusack and Bening. Perhaps, no definitely, it was the best crime film of its time.

THE GRIFTERS... I won't go into the plot. Other reviewers have done enough. But it does poke at some old questions. Is there honor among thieves? No, not really. But can there be respect? Yes, I think the film brings that out. What about love? Ooof! That's a tough one.

IF you've seen the movie, and liked it, the commentaries are wonderful. But even more important is the glimpse at the life of Jim Thompson whose novel inspired the film. The making of THE GRIFTERS is equally intriguing. I'm no grifter, although at times I wish I were... But still, trust me, this Collector's Series is worth the reasonable price.

Average customer rating:

Great Writing, Acting Make This A Superior 'Noir'
More Grift for DeMille
Classic Film Noir
Semi-serious, dream-like movie in dealing with a serious theme
Perhaps the best of the 90s genre

The Grifters
Starring: Anjelica Huston , John Cusack , Annette Bening , Jan Munroe , and Robert Weems
Director: Stephen Frears
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Neo-Noir | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6304981643
Release Date: 1998-06-30

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Great Writing, Acting Make This A Superior 'Noir'.......2007-09-09

More Grift for DeMille.......2007-06-02

Classic Film Noir.......2007-03-18

It is a simple, well-shot and straight-forward film.
All greed and deceit.
With a surprise ending.
A definate must-see!

Semi-serious, dream-like movie in dealing with a serious theme .......2007-01-28

Perhaps the best of the 90s genre.......2006-07-14

Average customer rating:

The Grifters
Director: Stephen Frears
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Widescreen
Language: English

ASIN: B000VZBMH4

Product Description

When con artist Roy Dillon (Cusack) is visited by his conning Mother, Lilly (Huston), she forces him off to the hospital because of a blow to the gut he suffered while working the grift. Roy's girlfriend Myra (Bening), the third con artist, comes to visit Roy and we discover that Lilly and Myra don't get along. After he?s released from the hospital, Roy and Myra go on a little trip, where he is propositioned to be partners in crime with Myra. Everything soon falls apart for the three con artists, which leads to a bloody climax.

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