“The Grifters” is a noir crime thriller depicting a lifelong con artist reuniting with her estranged son and, along with his girl friend, becoming embroiled in a complex web of criminal activity. Director Stephen Frears (“Dangerous Liaisons” 1988) has put together what could be called the ultimate film noir which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats for the entire 110 minute running time.
The three primary cast members are at the top of their game here. Angelica Huston, John Cusack, and Annette Bening all deserved Oscar nominations; only Cusack went unrewarded in that regard. The top-rate supporting cast includes Pat Hingle, J. T. Walsh, Charles Napier, Henry Jones, Jeremy Piven, Xander Berkeley, Eddie Jones, and Sandy Baron as the doctor.
Donald E. Westlake penned a marvelous screenplay adapted from the 1963 novel of the same name by Jim Thompson. The film received four Oscar nods for Best Director, Best Actress (Huston), Best Supporting Actress (Bening), and Best Screenplay. The very watchable fully color film noir “The Grifters” was a modest box office hit for producer Martin Scorsese, Cineplex Odion Films, and Miramax Films. Elmer Bernstein composed the musical score. It was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California.
The Grifters (1990)
cinema
My Review
“The Grifters” is a noir crime thriller depicting a lifelong con artist reuniting with her estranged son and, along with his girl friend, becoming embroiled in a complex web of criminal activity. Director Stephen Frears (“Dangerous Liaisons” 1988) has put together what could be called the ultimate film noir which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats for the entire 110 minute running time.
The three primary cast members are at the top of their game here. Angelica Huston, John Cusack, and Annette Bening all deserved Oscar nominations; only Cusack went unrewarded in that regard. The top-rate supporting cast includes Pat Hingle, J. T. Walsh, Charles Napier, Henry Jones, Jeremy Piven, Xander Berkeley, Eddie Jones, and Sandy Baron as the doctor.
Donald E. Westlake penned a marvelous screenplay adapted from the 1963 novel of the same name by Jim Thompson. The film received four Oscar nods for Best Director, Best Actress (Huston), Best Supporting Actress (Bening), and Best Screenplay. The very watchable fully color film noir “The Grifters” was a modest box office hit for producer Martin Scorsese, Cineplex Odion Films, and Miramax Films. Elmer Bernstein composed the musical score. It was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California.