The Grifters

Stephen Frears, USA 1990, 119 mins

This wonderfully entertaining highly stylised piece of early nineties film noir follows the life of three grifters (or con artists) who are embroiled in an ill-fated love triangle. Especially since two of them are mother and son. Just trying to live a normal day to day existence proves to be horrifically difficult when both your mother and girlfriend are conspiring against you and amongst themselves.

John Cusack simply excels in his portrayal of the doomed hero/ villain who is, apparently, the only one with a decent amount of compassion for the other two. His mother, played with a cold conceited air by Angelica Huston, and his girlfriend, the archetypal "moll" Annette Benning, both appear to be aware of Cusack's well-meant intentions and use it for all it is worth. Although no saint, one ultimately feels for him.

The Grifters is an underrated gem of the nineties that no fan of dark, intelligent, film noir should allow themselves to miss. If you need any more encouragement, it was produced by a certain Martin Scorsese.

Keith Thomson
EUFS Programme 1998-99