Movies about cons, if well done, are hard to resist – and such is the case with Criminal. However, con movies, if merely repeating things that have been done before, are superfluous – and that, in a nutshell, is the problem with Criminal. The movie is an English-language adaptation of a wonderful Argentinean movie Nine Queens, directed by Fabián Bielinsky only three years ago. Criminal remakes Nine Queens for an L.A. backdrop, but changes little else regarding the story. Director Gregory Jacobs, a longtime assistant director for Steven Soderbergh (and former Austin resident), makes his directing debut with this film, yet one has to wonder why he chose this project to remake. He brings little original vision to the film, even though his work is thoroughly competent. Jacobs co-scripted the adaptation with the pseudonymous Soderbergh (who also co-produced), yet they develop very few new avenues of approach. The acting is superb, however, and help make this version pleasurable to watch. Reilly seems as if he’s playing an older variation on the gambler he essayed in Hard 8, while Luna (Y Tu Mamá También) seems like a shaggy puppy dog that’s in over its head. The two make an interesting pair of con men, and Gyllenhaal, as always, is delicious icing on the cake. The story is a delightfully convoluted con that keeps you guessing until the very end – unless of course you’ve seen the original, which also has a scrappier and more naturalistic air. But if subtitles are not your thing and you’re in the mood to witness an elegant con job in the classic Mamet mold, then Criminal is the card to play.
This article appears in September 10 • 2004.
