Year of Release: 1990
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening, Stephen Tobolowsky, Pat Hingle, J.T. Walsh, Gailard Sartain
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8
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Synopsis and Review:
Prolific director Stephen Frears followed his critically acclaimed "Dangerous Liaisons" with a turn in a different direction, in terms of genre, while still maintaining the interesting power games that made the classic from 1988 so well received. The film is an adaptation of the book by Jim Thompson and follows the story of Roy Dillon, a con artist who lives in LA, working through a series of minor cons which allow him to live comfortably. When one of his swindles doesn't go so well, his mother Lilly, helps him getting into a hospital. Lilly who is herself a master grifter, works for a well structured crime syndicate, but is desperately trying to move away from it. Another key player in this story comes in the shape of Myra, whom Roy is dating, and who has been herself involved in quite a few swindles in her career. Both women have an instant antagonism and rivalry for Roy's affections, and things take a sharp turn when Myra proposes a "job" to Roy, who turns it down. Myra decides to gun for Lilly, and things quickly take a darker tone from that point on.
"The Grifters", which was originally intended for Martin Scorsese to direct (and who is one of the producers of the film), is a film that is deftly directed, and that manages to perfectly capture the film noir vibe that defines the novel. The narrative is perfectly captured, as the three characters come together into a perverse game of sexual tension and forbidden lust, all the while trying to get a step ahead of each other in terms of money and ultimately, power. The whole storyline is orchestrated with the precision of a finely tuned clock, giving away just enough of background on the main characters to provide further context into their motivations. All central characters are vividly brought to life by the impeccable central cast, with the women in particular making a stronger impact. Anjelica Huston and Annette Bening both create characters that leverage all they can, including their bodies, to survive in a ruthless world. Both of their performances are magnetic, with Huston in particular investing her character with a hunger for survival that will stop at nothing, while still retaining her humanity and heart. The cinematography from Oliver Stapleton is fantastic, as is the jazzy influenced score from the great Elmer Bernstein. A very good film always worth watching.
"The Grifters", which was originally intended for Martin Scorsese to direct (and who is one of the producers of the film), is a film that is deftly directed, and that manages to perfectly capture the film noir vibe that defines the novel. The narrative is perfectly captured, as the three characters come together into a perverse game of sexual tension and forbidden lust, all the while trying to get a step ahead of each other in terms of money and ultimately, power. The whole storyline is orchestrated with the precision of a finely tuned clock, giving away just enough of background on the main characters to provide further context into their motivations. All central characters are vividly brought to life by the impeccable central cast, with the women in particular making a stronger impact. Anjelica Huston and Annette Bening both create characters that leverage all they can, including their bodies, to survive in a ruthless world. Both of their performances are magnetic, with Huston in particular investing her character with a hunger for survival that will stop at nothing, while still retaining her humanity and heart. The cinematography from Oliver Stapleton is fantastic, as is the jazzy influenced score from the great Elmer Bernstein. A very good film always worth watching.
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