The Grifters
United States
1990
110 Min
Color
English
Synopsis
Director Stephen Frears’ tense adaptation of Jim Thompson’s novel The Grifters was one of a number of revival film noirs in the first half of the ‘90s. Updating the setting to contemporary Los Angeles, the film follows a trio of con artists who are intent on out-foxing each other. Roy Dillon (John Cusack) is a simple, two-bit con, whose life is thrown into turmoil when his estranged mother Lilly (Anjelica Huston) returns home in an attempt to evade the law. Lilly doesn’t warm to Roy’s girlfriend Myra Langtry (Annette Bening), who is too similar to herself. Soon, the two women are competing for Roy in a battle that is more of a power struggle than a pursuit of affection, and the battle quickly turns dangerous. Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for her work. —allmovie guide
Director
Stephen Frears
Frears was born in Leicester, England to an Anglican father and a Jewish mother. Attended the Trinity College in Cambridge before starting his carreer in television where he contributed to several high-profile series such as the BBC’s Play for Today. In the mid-1980s he came to prominence as an important director of British and later American films. It was his production of the one-off drama My Beautiful Laundrette for Channel 4 in 1985 that led to his notice as a capable film director when the production was released theatrically to great acclaim. He next directed another successful British film, the Joe Orton biopic Prick Up Your Ears in 1987, followed by a second film from a Hanif Kureshi screen play, Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. The following year he made his Hollywood debut with Dangerous Liaisons. Frears had another critical success with The Grifters, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director but suffered a major box office disappointment with Hero, starring… read more
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L.A. Alguera
22May09
Frears brillaint attempt at noir hits every note. A beautiful adaptation put into play by three skillful actors clearly enjoying the words and the environment.
Pierluigi Puccini
21May09
Unjustly forgotten classic. A striking and quirky neo noir with a superb triad of criminals blinded by greed. Terrific score by Elmer Bernstein.
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By Christopher Smith on May 20, 2009
I’ve seen it a few times now, and I’m still not convinced it’s the masterpiece everyone makes it out to be. A good-looking film, solid script, and great performances (though I don’t think John Cusack… read review
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