Criminal

Having stolen dozens of movies over the last decade, character actor John C. Reilly (The Aviator, Boogie Nights, Magnolia) goes into leading man mode in this entertaining if slight remake of a superior Argentinean movie called Nine Queens. Reilly plays Richard Gaddis, an egotistical conman who takes on a young partner, Rodrigo (Diego Luna) for a day's tutorial and conning. Midway through their session, the pair stumble across a score with a huge potential. There's one thing standing in their way - Richard's estranged sister Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal). She's the concierge at a plush LA hotel where wealthy businessman and art collector (Peter Mullan) is staying. Problem is, his sister's determined that Richard doesn't re-establish a foothold in her or her younger brother's life...

While its inspiration was a David Mamet-inspired character study of small-time desperation - albeit one with a wildly ambitious pay-off - Criminal is more of an exercise in snappy stylistics, unnecessarily sacrificing much of the development that made Nine Queens click so convincingly. Even though his ability may be beyond question at this stage, Reilly doesn't really convince as the sharp-suited, fast-talking Richard, lacking the palpable degree of menace required to survive in such a cut throat world. Luna fares out a little better but the film's obsession with the execution of cons rather than the motivation feels a little superficial. Let it wash over you and you'll have a good time with Criminal. A thorough examination, however, is not advised.