Lying, cheating and stealing is a stylish way of life in director James Foley's latest film, the crime thriller "Confidence," a slick nouveau film noir starring Ed Burns, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Weisz and Andy Garcia. It's about a group of Los Angeles grifters who find themselves in a very dangerous situation but still love the life-or-death challenge. Con vs. con
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By Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.comJake Vig (Burns) is a con man who plays the ultimate shell-game-within-a-shell-game when he inadvertently scams a mobster, The King (Hoffman), and has to find a way to pay him back -- or else. Jake has swindled $200,000 from the unsuspecting mob accountant Lionel Dolby with the help of his crew, inside man Gordo (Paul Giamatti) and Shills Miles (Brian Van Holt), and two corrupt LAPD officers, Whitworth (Donal Logue) and Manzano (Luis Guzman). Jake offers to repay The King by pulling off the biggest con of his career. The mark is Morgan Gillette, a banker with deep ties to organized crime.
With so much riding on the outcome, Jake decides to bring in a brash pickpocket named Lily (Rachel Weisz in a forgettable role), who joins the crew in a complex scheme involving corporate loans, creative accounting, wire transfers and off-shore accounts. Jake and his crew must stay one step ahead of both the criminals and the cops to finally settle their debt and survive.
Part of the 6th Annual Hawaii International Spring Film Festival 'Confidence'
Rated R
Playing at 9 p.m. today at Signature Dole Cannery
"Confidence" is a touch of "Pulp Fiction" and a modern, brutal version of "The Sting," with all the plot intricacies to make it compelling. The movie's underlying theme that failure means death never waivers.
"Confidence" may be packed with some moments you've probably seen before but the film still entertains on its own terms.
You expect that the lives of con artists are full of double-crosses and duplicity. Before the lengthy and compelling opening credits are finished, the audience is already thinking who's really scamming who? Who's in on the game or just thinks they're in on the game?
Other similarly themed films like "House of Games," "Traveller" and "The Grifters" succeeded through crafty film making and the sinfully enjoyable antics of the world's craftiest con-men. Foley's "Confidence" falls into that list.
When Jake approaches The King to make amends, it begins an uneasy alliance between a sleazy club-owner and a desperately frustrated con artist. Jake is young, good looking and slick, while The King is gritty, indulgent and cynical.
Hoffman does a masterful portrayal of evil in an extended cameo in such an understated way that he's a terrifying weasel and perverted old crime crony who we believe is capable of anything if provoked.
"Sometimes style can get you killed," The King warns Jake during their first meeting.
"Confidence" scores repeatedly with its astonishingly eclectic cast, using rapid-fire dialogue and tight shots before ending with a crowd-pleasing, devious note. Perhaps it's a bit too satisfying, but this is a fun crime drama, proving crime can pay.
Foley is no stranger to ensemble cast movies (he directed "Glengarry Glen Ross"), so he gives just about all his actors something interesting to do.
Twist my arm and I'll criticize "Confidence" for over-reliance on frequent voiceover narration and flashbacks, even telegraphed plot twists. What you realize early on -- but really don't care -- is that since everyone onscreen is a con artist, this most recent scam "ain't" the last one.
"Confidence" triumphs like a classic joke retold by an especially energetic new comedian, proof that a film need not be unique to be worthwhile.
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