Criminal (2004)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Gregory Jacobs

Writers (WGA):

Fabián Bielinsky (film Nueve reinas)
Gregory Jacobs (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

7 October 2004 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Ever get the feeling you're being played?

Plot:

Two con artists try to swindle a currency collector by selling him a counterfeit copy of an extremely rare currency bill.

Plot Keywords:

Counterfeit | Con Artist | Double Cross | Brother Sister Relationship | Bartender

Cast

John C. Reilly	...	Richard Gaddis
Diego Luna	...	Rodrigo
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Valerie
Peter Mullan	...	William Hannigan
Zitto Kazann	...	Ochoa
Jonathan Tucker	...	Michael
Laura Cerón	...	Waitress (as Laura Ceron)
Soledad St. Hilaire	...	Waitress #2
Ellen Geer	...	Grandma
Brandon Keener	...	Waiter / Daniel
Nick Anavio	...	Café Manager
Deborah Van Valkenburgh	...	Woman in Elevator
Maeve Quinlan	...	Heather / Soccer Man
Brent Sexton	...	Ron
Malik Yoba	...	Frank Hill

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS (8 channels) | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-11 | Ireland:12A | Peru:14 | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #40569) | Brazil:14 | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Criminal Films Inc.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Richard and Rodrigo are walking down the street, the briefcase jumps from Richard's left hand to his right hand (next to Rodrigo).

Quotes:

Richard Gaddis: [speaking to Rodrigo] You have one thing money and practice can't buy - you look like a nice guy.

Movie Connections:

Remake of Nueve reinas (2000)

Soundtrack:

El Guanajuatense

Something Familiar?

Being quite fond of heist/sting/caper movies this looked like it was well worth a hire at the local DVD store when it came out.

After about 5 minutes I was feeling very confused - I was sure had seen it before but it had only just been released. *light goes on over head* - This is very reminiscent of 9 Queens. Ten minutes later... *light goes on over head* - This is a Hollywood remake of 9 Queens. Maybe I'm the only person to watch the movie that didn't know it was remake.

And that, as they say, is that. If you have already seen 9 Queens then this won't hold any surprises for you. The acting, directing etc. etc. are all fine but then again, it was all fine (if not excellent) in 9 Queens. If you haven't seen 9 Queens then watch that instead because it is better.

It just makes me sad that when there are people struggling to get new interesting movies funded, that it is seen as more profitable to do a remake of a film that is only a few years old anyway. Of course we all know the reason for the remake; 9 Queens is not in English and requires that you read subtitles and the 15 to 25 year old American boys that are the prime target for this type of film can't read and chew popcorn at the same time.

If this film had been an original I would be inclined to give it 7 or 8 stars but because the best part of it (the plot) is lifted (and in the final credits it acknowledges 9 Queens) and also because I am really annoyed by pointless remakes - (Don't even mention Nikita!!) I can only summon up 2 stars. What a pointless way to use a great cast and the film making talent that was evidently available for this piece of work.