The Grifters (1990)

Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, Pat Hingle, Gailard Sartain, Henry Jones, J. T. Walsh. [R]

Chilly, acidic crime noir depicting the nasty lives of pathetic small-time con man Cusack, his ruthless veteran crook of a mother Huston, and his wily and sexy older girlfriend (Bening), also a grifter. Uncompromising adaptation of Jim Thompson’s novel makes David Mamet’s House of Games con artists look like the colorful lawbreakers from The Sting; unlike most movies dealing with their types, this isn’t about them gaming some unsuspecting dupes on the outside, but rather each other, using whatever weapons are at their disposal: affection, guilt, lust, etc. The writing is sharp and multi-layered, the direction bold but also subtly suggestive, the lead performances stealthy and surprising and, when push comes to shove, plain vicious. The stunner of a finale could have so easily self-destructed, but instead it lingers like an incurable disease. Won’t be everyone’s cup of bitter tea, but its formidable craft and effect is irrefutable. Co-produced by Martin Scorsese; he also provides some narration.

92/100