The Grifters (1990)

Studio: Echo Bridge/Miramax
Theatrical Release: December 5, 1990
DVD Re-release: June 14, 2011
R

Review by James Klein

Echo Bridge has just re-released 1990's The Grifters, a fun little throwback to film noir/crime thrillers of the 1940's starring John Cusack, Annette Benning and Anjelica Houston for a new low price. Having never seen the film, I was surprised that I had never given this film a chance before. I had heard many good things about the film and it earned four Academy Award nominations but for some reason the film flew under my radar until now.

John Cusack stars as Roy, a small time con man who gets in an altercation at a bar after he tries to lay a con on a bartender but winds up in the hospital. His estranged mother who works for the mob reunites with him, paying for Roy's hospital bills much to his displeasure. Roy's prostitute girlfriend Myra is also a con artist who tries to pull Roy back into the game when all he wants to do is be left alone by both women. Instead of focusing on the con itself, the film is more of a character study of these three different individuals. The main villain in this film is money. What will one do to get it? Would one push away a loved one or family member just to make a profit? It's interesting to see that the "con" is almost like a drug as all three characters have in the past gotten hurt (physically and mentally) by their game but still continue to go about what they do best.

The Grifters is a modern take on the film noir crime thriller and does a great job capturing the essence of the genre. Some of the dialogue feels like it was written for Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. The cast does an amazing job and the dark conclusion leaves the viewer stunned and wanting more. I can't believe it took me this long to have seen it, but am glad I have as The Grifters is a great little film.