Grift away with The Grifters. (The Grifters (DVD))

Member Name: joecooper

Product:	The Grifters (DVD)
Date:	31/01/03 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Annette Bening looking very wuzzly, A fascinating look at a different way of life

Disadvantages: Cusack's a little flat

The Grifters was the film that put the Miramax studio on the map back in 1990. Dark and dirty, it's the story of three twisted individuals that put foxes and rats to shame in the sly and cunning stakes. All three of the film's players are professional con artists of one sort or another. To use the 1950s term, they're 'grifters'.

Rather than going about their separate businesses ripping off the unwary and the gullible, our three charlatans find themselves pitted against each other. Why? Because as much as they make a living from the naive and honest, a grifter gets the ultimate thrill from shafting another charlatan.

**Meet the players**

*Roy Dillon*

Roy (John Cusack) is what's known in the caper as a short-con. He runs quick little scams on the unsuspecting to earn his living. His repertoire includes flashing a $20 bill at a bar tender as he orders a beer, only to deftly substitute it for a tenner when the barman returns with the beer, gaining an extra $10 in change if he?s lucky.

Roy's 25 years old, and has been on the grift since he was 17 and quasi-apprenticed to an old time grifter. Roy subscribes to his old mentor's philosophy of sticking to the short sharp tricks to fleece people. The financial rewards aren't as lucrative as those gained from more elaborate long-con operations, but you're also less likely to go to prison for your troubles.

Like all con artists, Roy's charismatic when he wants to be. However, as a result of so many years on such an anti-social career path, he's also a little strange. He lives in a seedy looking old hotel room, and hordes money like a squirrel hordes nuts. Roy's a troubled soul.

*Myra Langtry*

Myra (Annette Bening) has a part-time job modeling for the word 'amoral' for Websters Dictionary. Myra's way of doing things includes cheerfully offering her greasy old landlord the choice of cash or
sexual favors as her rent payment.

Older than she looks, Myra's an experienced seductress in the long-con game. Bristling with sexual energy, she also happens to be Roy's new girlfriend.

An interesting side note, Roy and Myra aren't initially aware of what the other does for a living. Roy, for instance, passes himself off as a match salesman.

*Lilly Dillon*

Lilly is Roy's Mum. She's also a gofer for a mobster/bookmaker. Her scam is to go around placing bets at the race track on rank outsiders in order to bring their odds down, and therefore protect her bosses exposure should one get up in a race. She's a crafty old vixen, that's only 14 years older than her son. Such is their relationship, Roy calls her 'Lilly' rather than the conventional 'Mum'. Lilly easily matches Roy and Myra in the devious department, and gives the distinct impression that she'd take anyone down for a dollar, including her son.

Thus the stage is set!

**Wind 'em up and let 'em go! (the plot)**

One of Roy's show-em-twenty-and-give-em-ten scams doesn't go according to plan. An astute bartender gives the would-be shyster a good hard smack in the stomach with a baseball bat. Such was the pounding, Roy ends up in hospital.

During visiting hours, Lilly and Myra meet each other for the first time and the sparks immediately fly. In a man-bewildering display of a women's intuition, Myra and Lilly recognize exactly what sort of woman the other is. They're looking in the mirror and they don't like what they see.

The story rolls nicely from there with some fascinating twists and turns as the battle of wits between the three gathers momentum. Will Roy and Myra team up for a long-con? Will Myra pull the wool over Roy's eyes? Will Lilly protect her son, or will true instinct kick in and see her take Roy down instead? What will Myra and Lilly
do to each other? You wont have a clue until the very end, and then it's an ending you're not expecting!

**The appeal of The Grifters**

Con artists aren't your usual criminals. They don't rely on thuggery or even your absence to get what they want. No, for the likes of Roy, Myra, and Lilly, the game is to pluck it right from under your nose without you even noticing. They get what they want because they're smarter than their opponents. Watching our three players is like watching a rattle snake with a delightful smile. You find them all charismatic, but you're ready to recoil because you sense that they're dangerous.

In many ways the snake oil salesman is far more interesting to watch than the mugger.

**The acting**

I'm a solid fan of John Cusack's work. I've enjoyed everything from Better Off Dead to Grosse Point Blank. However, I must admit that his female co-stars have outgunned him in The Grifters. Cusack's Roy is a little two flat and not as charismatic as he should be. I can't help but think that Brad Pitt, with a Fight Club caliber performance, could produce a better Roy. The role needs a little more sparkle.

Annette Bening is delightful in a darker, sluttier role. Getting her gear off and strutting around topless didn't hurt my interest, but she also brought the character of Myra to life scene after scene. Bening is the glue and the wildcard in The Grifters. She makes you watch and wonder what'll happen next.

Additionally, I wont be singing 'the old gray mare, she aint what she use to be' about Angelica Huston's performance. Like Bening, she's quite sensational as the sexy reptile. Her ability to constantly maintain the shifting mirage involved in being Roy's Mum, a seductress, and a ruthless con artist is quite superb. Full marks for Angie!

**A quick word about the filmmaker**

The Grifters is ba
sed on the 1950s Jim Thompson novel of the same name. With full credit to director Stephen Frears, the film (set in the 90s) retains a certain old fashioned feel to it. In many ways the story needs it to be plausible, but it also gives the film a unique aura. Grifting is probably the second oldest profession in the world, so it's befitting that its agelessness is hinted at in the film.

**And the winner is?**

The Grifters was nominated for four Oscars, and it's easy to see why. It's smooth, intoxicating, and, most of all, addictive. You'll find yourself fascinated by the three players and their outrageous behavior.

Although it's not rated R, I wouldn't describe The Grifters as fun for all the family. Along with Annette Bening parading her delicious body for the viewers, this film contains some very adult concepts, that are often heard rather than seen.

All up, I'm giving The Grifters four stars.

Cheers for reading, and I hope you enjoy the movie!

~Joe

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