The Grifters

Based on Jim Thompson’s novel, The Grifters details the comings and goings of three con artists of varying accomplishments – John Cusack’s Roy, Anjelica Huston’s Lilly, and Annette Bening’s Myra. There’s little doubt that The Grifters ultimately fares quite a bit better than its literary predecessor, as filmmaker Stephen Frears, working from a script by Donald E. Westlake, does a superb job of initially establishing the central protagonists and their ongoing exploits – with the narrative’s somewhat meandering nature packing a far more engrossing and, sporadically, tense punch than one might’ve anticipated. It’s clear, certainly, that the uniformly captivating performances play a fairly substantially role in confirming the picture’s success, as the three leads step into the shoes of their respective characters with an ease that generally proves impossible to resist – with the actors’ efforts heightened by a top-notch periphery cast that includes Pat Hingle, Charles Napier, and J.T. Walsh. (The latter is responsible for the movie’s most enthralling stretch, perhaps unsurprisingly.) The escalating atmosphere ensures that The Grifters builds to a progressively engrossing third act, complete with a surprising and memorable climax, which confirms its place as a seriously stellar adaptation that boasts career-best work from its stars.

***1/2 out of ****