Date: September 6, 2004
Source: IESB.NET
Author: David West
"Criminal" is the story of two amateur L.A. con-artists who stumble upon an extremely lucrative scam that can make small-time "nickel and dime" jobs a thing of the past. Richard Gaddis (John C. Reilly) witnesses Rodrigo (Diego Luna) unsuccessfully attempt to scam a waitress out of her tip money and poses as a police officer to escort him away after the waitress makes a scene. Gaddis then informs Rodrigo that he is need of a partner in crime and Rodrigo reluctantly accepts the offer in order to help pay off his fathers gambling debts.
After swindling a few innocent people, the daring duo are summoned to the luxury hotel where Richards sister Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal) works as the concierge. The siblings don't get along ever since Richard conned her and younger brother Michael (Jonathan Tucker) out of their inheritance. Valerie informs Richard of an old man named Ochoa who attempted to see a V.I.P. guest named William Hannigan. While being escorted out Ochoa collapsed, but not before calling out Richards name and begging Valerie to call him. Ochoa turns out to be a master counterfeiter who forged a rare bill of currency worth a fortune and plans on selling it to Hannigan with the aid of Richard and Rodrigo. The only thing larger than the pay-off is the risk they take when working together. As the deceptions and duplicity mount, Richard and Rodrigo must negotiate a succession of swindlers, thieves and grifters to pull off the biggest con of their lives.
The cast of "Criminal" were very dedicated to making a small film about a couple of con-artists as best they could for first time director Gregory Jacobs. "No one really got paid (much). Basically we're all here because we really loved the story and loved the chance to do it with a first time director". Said Luna on why he took the role of Rodrigo. When asked about working with Jacobs, Luna's ecstatic response was,"The energy of a first time director is great; you can see that he's risking everything and that its the most important thing in his life". John C. Reilly added "From the moment I spoke to Greg, I had ultimate trust in him as a director". In addition to working with the cast and Jacobs, Reilly welcomed the challenge of playing Richard. "By the time the Oscars rolled around with "Chicago", I had had it with cuddly roles, I wanted to tap into a character that was unlikeable", Said Reilly about the harsh nature of his character. Maggie Gyllenhaal had similar reasons for playing Valerie. Although Valerie may appear to be the weaker of the two siblings in "Criminal", she might have an ace up her sleeve when it comes to dealing with her older brother. "Recently I've portrayed smart level-headed young women and this gave me the opportunity to play a character that gets bullied and is vulnerable and needs the help of others to succeed". Said Gyllenhaal. The cast has great chemistry and does a great job of showing just how tricky you have to be when performing a con.
"Criminal" is more than just a remake (9 Queens) for Jacobs, it is a personal journey that has been in the making for many years. Since 1992, Jacobs has been an Asst. Director to Steven Soderburgh and other well respected directors. Soderburgh encouraged Jacobs to find a project to direct himself. Jacobs and Soderburgh both loved "9 Queens" and felt he could make a great American version of the Argentinean film. "From the beginning I was set on John and Diego as the leads for the film; it would have been heart breaking for me if I couldn't have had them both", Said Jacobs on why this film was such a great experience.
"Criminal" is a very impressive debut and Jacobs does a great job of pacing the film while maintaining continuity and character development and should look forward to a long and successful career directing films.
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