Director:
Gregory Jacob

Cast:
John C. Reilly
Daniel Luna
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Peter Mullan

Official URL:

http://www.criminalmovie.com

Country: USA
Rating: R
Studio Name: Warner Independent
Running Time: 0 hr 87 mins
Release Date: September 10, 2004

Critics's Rating:
(3 Reels) 

September 10, 2004

By Veronica Mixon

When a young con artist is hauled out of a Los Angeles casino after cheating several waitresses, he doesn’t realize that his life is about to change forever in Criminal. Instead of being arrested, Rodrigo endures a stern tongue lashing from a more seasoned con man about his lazy technique. Instantly they strike up a friendship and Rodrigo embarks on a great adventure of swindles, lies and twists of a game that will educate him.

Gregory Jacob’s film is based on the Argentine cult hit Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens) which had an American debut a couple of years ago. Not many people saw the film but the few who did loved the gritty look of the petty criminal’s life. Like the original film, Criminal is the tricky story of a young con artist being mentored by an older, wiser con artist and the big score they decide to pull off. After realizing that he’s not going to jail, Rodrigo (Diego Luna) immediately attaches himself to Richard (John C. Reilly), who gladly shows him a few quick petty scams. But, when his sister, Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal) calls saying one of Richard’s cohorts has collapsed at the downtown luxury hotel where she works, the duo sniff out a bigger more lucrative score. Ochoa is a forger who hopes to sell rare counterfeit currency to a wealthy international businessman, William Hannigan (Peter Mullan). Valerie, the concierge, wants Richard and his pals not to plot on any of the guests. But Ochoa says that the deal is worth $500,000 and Richard refuses to walk away.

Criminal is an intriguing look at greed and manipulation. There’s deception at every turn. Richard has loyalty only to himself and his sister warns Rodrigo that he’ll take the first opportunity to cheat even his partners. Richard cheated her and their younger brother out of a family inheritance and Valerie wants to protect herself. Rodrigo is on a mission to settle his father’s debt. Hannigan wants the currency and doesn’t care if it’s stolen. The lure of easy money taints everyone but Richard hijacks the deal and won’t let anyone he needs to achieve his objective walk away.

John C. Reilly, a gifted character actor who has appeared in Chicago, Boogie Nights, Magnola and Gangs of New York, gives Richard a pale likeability. By that I mean, at first, you do like him but these feelings fade fast. Reilly’s mouth is constantly moving – he has the gift of gab – but you can also tell that like a chess player, his mind is plotting moves far beyond the next move of anyone. Reilly is simply superb! Also, good is young Diego Luna who projects innocence even as he cons hardworking people out of their cash. Best known for his sexy turn in Y Tu Mama Tambien and Dirty Dancing Havana Nights, Diego Luna is lucky that his leading man good-looks are also backed up with enormous talent. Maggie Gyllenhaal, the dark-hair beauty from Secretary and Mona Lisa’s Smile, has an elegant contemporary femininity. She’s a clever actress with loads of talent, too and each new role that she accepts proves that she’s someone worth watching.

Gregory Jacob’s American adaptation is clever, amusing and intriguing. Criminal certainly highlights the Los Angeles underbelly of seedy petty crime and keeps you guessing until the end.

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