Criminal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two con artists try to sell a fake bill, but everyone’s conning everyone else, and in the end, nobody knows who actually got the money, maybe the director did, who knows!

🍿 Criminal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meeting of Con Artists

Richard Gaddis, a seasoned con artist, encounters Rodrigo, a young, struggling grifter, in Los Angeles. Recognizing Rodrigo’s potential, Richard takes him under his wing, offering him a chance to learn the ropes of the con game. Rodrigo is motivated by the need to pay off his father’s debts, making him a willing, if initially naive, partner.

The Big Score: A Counterfeit Bill

Richard and Rodrigo stumble upon a lucrative opportunity: selling a counterfeit currency note to a wealthy collector. This scam requires careful planning and execution, pushing their partnership to the limit. The complicated relationship Richard has with his younger siblings, Valerie and Michael, adds another layer of intrigue, as they become inadvertently involved in the scheme.

Trust and Deception

As they prepare for the con, the line between trust and deception blurs. Richard, known for his ruthlessness, may have met his match in Rodrigo, who might be playing a bigger game than he lets on. This is a test of loyalty and ingenuity, where the stakes are high and the risks even higher.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Richard Gaddis (John C. Reilly): A cynical and experienced con man looking for a new partner to pull off bigger scams.
• Rodrigo (Diego Luna): A young, small-time grifter who partners with Richard, hoping to quickly earn money for his father’s debt.
• Valerie (Maggie Gyllenhaal): Richard’s sister and a hotel concierge, she is initially reluctant but becomes involved in the con.
• William Hannigan (Peter Mullan): The wealthy businessman and currency collector who becomes the target of the counterfeit bill scam.
• Ochoa (Zitto Kazann): Richard’s old associate and forger of the counterfeit currency note, setting the main con in motion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Richard Gaddis: “What’s with the raped-virgin look?” – Richard says this to Rodrigo when he suspects he’s being betrayed, revealing his cynical and abrasive personality.
• Richard Gaddis: “I don’t feel anything for them. They’re marks. Some of them are dumber than fuckin’ pets!” – Richard expresses his complete lack of empathy for the people he cons, highlighting his sociopathic tendencies.
• Richard Gaddis: “You got something that money and practice can’t buy, you look like a nice guy.” – Richard explains to Rodrigo why he chose him as a partner, highlighting Rodrigo’s innocent appearance as a valuable asset in their cons.
• Rodrigo: “Mexican.” – Rodrigo corrects Richard when he introduces him as Spanish to a mark, asserting his identity despite Richard’s attempt to make him seem more Caucasian.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4 million
• Domestic Gross: $929,233
• Worldwide Gross: $1,398,053

💥 Criminal Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed Criminal! It was a fun and engaging movie that kept me guessing until the very end. I was immediately hooked by the dynamic between John C. Reilly and Diego Luna, and the plot twists were genuinely surprising. I found myself constantly trying to figure out who was conning who, and the ending totally caught me off guard. I will watch this movie again!.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies”
  • “Viewers interested in con artist stories”
  • “Those who enjoy crime dramas with plot twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Language”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Deceptive acts”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A clever and twisty caper film that keeps you guessing until the very end. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, the performances are strong, particularly John C. Reilly’s slimy yet strangely sympathetic con man.
• Los Angeles Times: “Criminal has a stylish veneer, but it feels somewhat hollow. The twists are predictable, and the characters lack depth, ultimately making the film a forgettable addition to the con artist genre. Diego Luna delivers an exceptional performance.
• Rolling Stone: “While not a classic, ‘Criminal’ is a fun ride. It features strong performances from Reilly and Luna, making it worth a watch. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. However, it struggles to reach the heights of other con-man classics.

Audience Reactions

Loved the surprise ending; didn’t see it coming!: Viewers appreciated the clever plot twists and the suspenseful atmosphere.

Reilly and Luna had great chemistry on screen.: The performances of the main actors were highly praised, making the characters believable.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted and entertaining con artist film with enough twists to keep audiences engaged, though it may not reach the level of a classic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Criminal is a remake of the Argentinian film ‘Nine Queens’ (Nueve Reinas), released in 2000. The remake follows the original story closely, adapting it to a Los Angeles setting.”
• “The film was produced by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney, known for their work in the crime/caper genre, which might explain the stylistic similarities to ‘Ocean’s Eleven’.”
• “Gregory Jacobs, the director, had primarily worked as a first assistant director on films like ‘Out of Sight’ and ‘Traffic’ before making his directorial debut with ‘Criminal’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Criminal?

Criminal (2004) is available for streaming or purchase on various platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for streaming options. Digital rentals and purchases can also be found on these platforms. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Criminal, you might like these similar films:

• Nine Queens (2000): The original Argentinian film that ‘Criminal’ is based on, with a similar plot and themes but a different cultural context.
• The Sting (1973): A classic con movie featuring elaborate schemes and unexpected twists, with a focus on outsmarting the mark.
• Matchstick Men (2003): Deals with cons and grifters, exploring themes of trust and betrayal in the world of professional trickery.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): A stylish heist movie with a focus on teamwork, elaborate planning, and charismatic criminals, sharing a similar tone to ‘Criminal’.

🛒 Criminal Related Products

• Criminal (Blu-ray): Watch the movie in high definition and enjoy the immersive experience with enhanced audio and video quality. Great for collectors and movie enthusiasts.
• Con Artist Strategy Board Game: A complex strategy board game where players compete to pull off the biggest heist. Requires planning, deception, and a bit of luck. Think ahead and build your crew to con your way to the top!
• Nine Queens (Nueve Reinas) – Argentinian Film (DVD): Experience the original Argentinian film that inspired “Criminal”. Explore the nuances and differences in this critically acclaimed caper film.
• Con Artist T-Shirt: Show your love for the con artist genre with this stylish t-shirt. Featuring a clever design, it’s a perfect conversation starter for fellow movie buffs. Made with comfortable, high-quality material.

🎧 Soundtrack

Criminal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sing a Simple Song” – performed by Sly Stone

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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