There is a great line in the Modest Mouse song “Float On” which goes, “…took every last dime with that scam. It was worth it just to learn some sleight of hand.” I can relate. I love to watch and learn how people get hustled, even if it’s me as the victim.
This is a big part of the appeal of the Warner Independent Picture, Criminal. You definitely get to see some people hustle and get hustled.
Rodrigo (Diego Luna) is a new-to-the-game, amateur con man pulling some small time scams trying to make some money to help his family. Richard (John C. Reilly) is a smooth, slick experienced con man who masquerades as a business man, and hustles everyone in sight.
The two meet when Richard decides to take Rodrigo under his wing and show him the ropes. During their first day of “training”, a once in a lifetime opportunity falls in their lap. The game is on from there as the characters will need all the help they can get to pull the heist, even enlisting Richard’s estranged sister Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal).
Half of the fun of the film is watching the two actors try and pull their scams over on the unsuspecting victims. The other half is the cleverly written and directed plot designed to keep you guessing.
The acting is great, John C. Reilly does a superb job, I found myself cheering for, and sympathizing with, his character even as he was doing despicable things. On top of that, Diego Luna and Maggie Gyllenhaal both shine as they take big steps forward in this film.
The biggest critique I have of is the overwhelming amount of surprises, which begin to feel as if they are simply thrown in to keep you guessing rather than influence the plot line. But that is all forgivable considering just how much fun you will have watching this clever and witty film.
