Confidence (2003)

Director:

James Foley

Writer (WGA):

Doug Jung (written by)

Release Date:

25 April 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

It's not about the money. It's about the money.

Plot:

Jake Vig (Burns) is a consummate grifter about to pull his biggest con yet, one set to avenge his friend's murder. But his last scam backfired, leaving him indebted to a mob boss (Hoffman) and his enforcer.

Plot Keywords:

Grifter | Crime Boss | Banker | Organized Crime | Pickpocket

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Edward Burns	...	Jake Vig
Rachel Weisz	...	Lily
Morris Chestnut	...	Travis
Leland Orser	...	Lionel Dolby
Louis Lombardi	...	Big Al
Paul Giamatti	...	Gordo
Brian Van Holt	...	Miles
Donal Logue	...	Whitworth
Luis Guzmán	...	Manzano (as Luis Guzman)
April O'Brien	...	Attractive Blonde
Jay Giannone	...	Car Salesman
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister	...	Harlin
Franky G	...	Lupus
Dustin Hoffman	...	King
Melissa Lawner	...	Katie

Also Known As:

CONfidence (USA) (alternative spelling)
Confidence: After Dark (UK)
En toute confiance (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, violence and sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA | Canada | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #39469) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:18A | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Deep Nightclub - 1707 N. Vine Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

Early in the movie, Lily leaves a scene in a blue 70's VW Karmann Ghia cabriolet (recognizable by the large taillights).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When the group is walking after meeting with Ashby, Miles and Gordo talk about packing and going to Belize, but it has not been decided that Gordo was going to go to Belize, Jake was supposed to be going.

Quotes:

Lily: I'm eating.
Gordo: We noticed. You need a shovel down there, sweetheart?

Movie Connections:

References Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)

Soundtrack:

Erotica

Style Can Get You Killed...Unless...

Foley's 'Confidence' is very much a formulaic gangster con-thriller with the usual gang, the villain, the feminine touch, the weapons and money and the twists. But it still manages to remain engaging and entertaining. It's a small film but the resources have been adequately used and it is very well executed with style and substance. The cinematography and visuals are wild and the score is energetic.

The story's pretty tight and moves at a steady pace. The characters are richly defined. The dialogues are sharp, witty and funny. Edward Burns's voice-over adds to the humour. Doug Jung does a splendid job indeed in the writing department.

Performances by all the actors is great. Edward Burns is brilliant as the superstitious con artist Jake. His fellow team-members Brian Van Holt and Paul Giamatti are equally good. Rachel Weisz oozes sensuality (but thankfully doesn't go overboard with it) and acts very well. Andy Garcia is adequate and Dustin Hoffman is a natural (this guy will make one laugh out loud).

'Confidence' is a slick stylish thriller that doesn't pretend to be anything else, when compared to other weaker movies like 'The Heist', 'Ocean's 11' or 'The Score'. It follows the formula of the genre but it's a smart film and has its twists that are enough to grip your attention.