September 23, 2004
Criminal
Criminal stars John C. Reilly, Diego Luna, and Maggie Gyllenhaal in another con-man-type movie. The entire movie takes place over the period of one day, in which one con-man saves another from getting arrested, they are thrown into each other's business, and end they up landing a huge deal that can make or break each of their lives. TRhe background leading up to the deal involves the young Mexican kid's need to help his in-debt father, as well as the more experienced grifter's need to pay his lawyer bills (since he's currently suing his own family). But as the day goes on, each person they meet wants a cut in the deal... and, (surprise, surprise) everything starts getting more complicated.
The goods: Each of the actors give good performance - nothing extremely remarkable, although it was pleasantly surprising to see a movie in which John C. Reilly plays a bad guy. There are some funny moments in the conversations between Luna and Reilly as well.
The problems: First of all, this movie was based on Nine Queens, which I haven't seen, but from what I've heard, the first is better, and I'm not surprised by that. While this movie played well enough, I couldn't help but feel I'd already seen it. It's like watching Heist. There are a bunch of con-men working together, so it's no surprise when the story starts hinting towards one conning the other. It's just a matter of how it all plays out.
The other probelm I had involves spoiling the end of the movie. Since you probably won't see it anyway, I'll just tell you. Reilly plays a con-man, but is too likeable. In the end, he gets conned and goes to prison, his family wins out, and I ge left sitting in the theatre thinking, "Poor guy!" ...What's wrong with this picture?! The script doesn't make him mean enough, so when he gets what he deserves, the audience feels sorry for him (and rolls their eyes with an "I knew it would end like this!" sentiment).
Anyway, overall, it was a good little flick, but had its own small flaws. Maybe watch it when it gets on Bravo in a year.
Posted by wendytime at September 23, 2004 08:18 AM | TrackBackJohn C. Reilly is like the new Karl Malden.
As far as feeling sorry for him: On the other hand, sometimes I'm annoyed when, in order to "justify" something bad happening to somebody later on, they show a moment of him (for instance) being really cruel to somebody or just being rude. As if for the purpose of saying later on, Well he deserved it anyway for not being polite back then.
I was just watching a movie the other day (can't remember what) where an otherwise fine character suddenly did something kind of mean, and I thought, Well I guess he's gonna get killed by the aliens later (or whatever). Sometimes it's kind of a nice change when a "good" character suffers or a bad one survives. (That said, I'm usually irked whenever criminals get away with it, no matter how charming they are. But the new brit flick Layer Cake has a clever ending in this respect.)
I haven't seen Criminal though, so I don't know what he was like. Your comment just got me thinking. End ramble.
Posted by: Jonathan on September 26, 2004 09:34 PMMy wife and I just watched A Streetcar Named Desire for the first time. She too draws an apt comparison between John C. Reilly and Karl Malden...
Posted by: mcMuller on October 18, 2004 09:42 PM