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Criminal , 2004

English, Spanish

USA

Rating:6.5
Plot

Richard Gaddis (John C. Reilly) is a Los Angeles con man in search of a new partner. Enter Rodrigo (Diego Luna), a young grifter pulling minor scams in a casino. When Rodrigo is caught by a savvy waitress who senses his scheme, Richard steps in, posing as an undercover cop, and escorts him out. Much to Rodrigo's surprise, Richard asks him to be his partner-in-crime. Over the next 48 hours, their skills are put to the test as Richard is given a potentially lucrative chance to deliver a counterfeit bank note to a wealthy guest (Peter Mullan) at the hotel where his sister, Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal), is the concierge. But is he trustworthy, or is Rodrigo just another one of his unwitting marks?

This tricky debut from director Gregory Jacobs is a remake of the 2002 Argentinean film NINE QUEENS. Pulling off the difficult stunt of making the audience gleefully root for a pair of criminals, the script is tight and surprising, making it genuinely difficult to determine who is conning whom in a story in which everyone seems to be on the make. The always-impressive Reilly takes on a lead role with the bravado one would expect after a string of brilliant supporting turns.

Details
Language: English, Spanish
Country: USA
Release date: 19 January 2005
Runtime: 87 min
Cast and Crew
John C. Reilly

as Richard Gaddis

Diego Luna

as Rodrigo

Maggie Gyllenhaal

as Valerie

Photos
Maggie Gyllenhaal in Criminal (2004)
Maggie Gyllenhaal in Criminal (2004)
Maggie Gyllenhaal in Criminal (2004)
Maggie Gyllenhaal in Criminal (2004)
Diego Luna in Criminal (2004)
Diego Luna in Criminal (2004)
John C. Reilly and Diego Luna in Criminal (2004)
John C. Reilly and Diego Luna in Criminal (2004)
John C. Reilly and Maggie Gyllenhaal in Criminal (2004)
John C. Reilly and Maggie Gyllenhaal in Criminal (2004)
John C. Reilly and Diego Luna in Criminal (2004)
John C. Reilly and Diego Luna in Criminal (2004)
Clips
Criminal: Theatrical(0: 0)
Critics Reviews
Los Angeles Times

Captures Los Angeles in a straightforward, naturalistic way, neighborhood-hopping like a native.

Users Reviews
Better by the end

Enjoyable flick, although for most of it I felt like the casting was "off", somehow. By the end I realized it was because the lead role is a tough character to pin--he's gotta be just likeable enough for you to want to watch, but at the same time,...

Criminal was entertaining, if nothing else. It certainly wasn't a masterpiece, nor was it original. But I sat happily engrossed in front of my television for two hours, enjoying every minute. Criminal is one of those movies that I have a hard time...

Likely to see
Not for me

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