The Grifters

1990

1h 50m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

442

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55 Images

Crime

Drama

A small-time conman has his loyalties torn between his estranged mother and his new girlfriend, both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own angles to play.

Directors

Stephen Frears

Writers

Donald E. Westlake(screenplay by)

Jim Thompson(novel by)

Stars

Anjelica Huston

John Cusack

Annette Bening

See production, box office & company info

Top cast

Lilly Dillon

Roy Dillon

Myra Langtry

Guy in bar

Racetrack Announcer

Jeweler

Bartender

Cop

Sims

Irv

Mintz

Doctor

Nurse

Joe

Nurse Carol Flynn

Maid

Bobo Justus

Sailor - Young Paul

Directors

Stephen Frears

Writers

Donald E. Westlake(screenplay by)

Jim Thompson(novel by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

My son is going to be all right. If not, I'll have you killed. The Grifters is directed by Stephen Frears and adapted to screenplay by Donald E. Westlake from the novel of the same name written by Jim Thompson. It stars Anjelica Huston, John Cusack and Annette Bening. Music is by Elmer Bernstein and cinematography by Oliver Stapleton. “The best reason I can think of is that you scare the hell out of me. I have seen women like you before, baby. You're double-tough and you are sharp as a razor, and you get what you want or else; but you don't make it work forever. Sooner or later the lightning hits, and I'm not gonna be around when it hits you” 1990 was a grand year for neo-noir, of the dozen + titles that came out that year, The Grifters sits atop of the pile. A superlative film noir that boasts class on the page and on both sides of the camera. Set in modern day Los Angeles, the story follows three cynical and sly con artists through a psychological fog of bluff, double bluff, pain, misery, manipulations and shattering developments. That the trio consists of a boyfriend, girlfriend and an estranged mother only darkens the seamy waters still further. Los Angeles positively bristles with a smouldering atmosphere thanks to the work of Frears, Bernstein and Stapleton. Sexual tension is ripe, Westlake’s adaptation doing justice to Thompson’s novel, while the three leads – and Pat Hingle in super support – are on fire, bringing complex characters vividly to life as they trawl through the devilishly labyrinthine plot, adding biting humour and shallow savagery into the bargain. A top draw neo-noir that doesn’t cut corners or pull its punches, from the split screen opening salvo to the pitch black finale, The Grifters delivers high quality for neo-noir fans. 9/10

John Chard15 Nov, 2014