The Grifters Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Mommy issues lead to small-time crook accidentally dying and everyone losing, proving crime really doesn’t pay, unless you’re the one walking away with all the cash.

🍿 The Grifters: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Grifters

The film introduces Roy Dillon, a small-time con artist working petty scams in Los Angeles. His estranged mother, Lilly Dillon, is a seasoned grifter working for a bookie, skimming money on the side. Roy also has a girlfriend named Myra Langtry, who is a con artist herself, always looking for the next big score. These three characters are all operating independently, each with their own agenda and methods.

Tangled Web of Deceit

Lilly’s visit to Roy after years of estrangement leads to a tense reunion. She discovers he is injured and gets him medical help, revealing a sense of maternal care despite their strained relationship. Myra sees Lilly as competition and an obstacle to her plans with Roy, creating immediate animosity between the two women. The film explores the complex dynamics between them, driven by distrust and ambition.

Myra’s Long Con

Myra attempts to recruit Roy into a long con, offering him a chance to make bigger money. She recounts her past experiences with another con man, Cole Langley, and the schemes they used to swindle wealthy marks. Roy is hesitant, distrustful of Myra’s motives and the risks involved. This sets up a conflict between Roy’s small-time cons and Myra’s ambition for a larger, more dangerous score.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lilly Dillon (Anjelica Huston): A seasoned grifter working for the mob, Lilly’s life is complicated by her estranged son and her own dangerous schemes.
• Roy Dillon (John Cusack): A small-time con artist, Roy is torn between his mother and his girlfriend, each pulling him deeper into the world of grifting.
• Myra Langtry (Annette Bening): A seductive and ambitious grifter, Myra seeks to involve Roy in her more elaborate and risky cons.
• Bobo Justus (Pat Hingle): A ruthless and powerful bookmaker, Bobo is Lilly’s boss and represents a dangerous threat when she crosses him.
• Cole Langley (J.T. Walsh): Myra’s former partner in crime, Cole represents the instability and potential downfall of the long con.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lilly: “Grifts, like anything else, Roy. You don’t stand still, you either go up or down. Usually down, sooner or later.” – Lilly explains to Roy the harsh realities and inevitable decline in the life of a con artist.
• Lilly: “My son will be alright. If not, I’ll have you killed.” – Lilly threatens a doctor who doubts Roy’s chances of survival.
• Myra: “I’m Roy’s friend. I imagine you’re a lot of people’s friend.” – Myra says this when meeting Lilly, insinuating that she is promiscuous.
• Bobo Justus: “What the fuck are you doing with a son?” – Bobo expresses his surprise and disapproval upon learning about Lilly’s son, reflecting the cold nature of their criminal world.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $24,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $13,446,769
• Worldwide Gross: $13,446,769

💥 The Grifters Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely engrossed! The movie kept me guessing until the very end. Anjelica Huston’s performance blew me away. The scene where Bobo burns her hand was brutal. I loved how twisted the relationships were, especially the complex dynamic between Lilly and Roy. It’s the kind of movie that stays with you long after the credits roll. I immediately wanted to watch it again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir and crime dramas”
  • “Viewers who appreciate complex character studies”
  • “Those interested in movies with dark and morally ambiguous themes”
  • “Fans of Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, and Annette Bening”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of betrayal and deception”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Director Stephen Frears navigates the twisted world of con artists with precision. Anjelica Huston delivers a chilling performance as Lilly, dominating every scene. While the plot has its moments of implausibility, the stellar acting and dark atmosphere make ‘The Grifters’ a compelling neo-noir.
• The New York Times: “A stylish and suspenseful crime drama, ‘The Grifters’ boasts outstanding performances from its cast. Huston’s portrayal of Lilly is captivating, while Cusack and Bening add depth to their morally ambiguous characters. The film’s bleak tone and unexpected twists keep viewers on edge.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘The Grifters’ explores the dark side of human nature with a compelling narrative and striking performances. Huston is phenomenal as the complex and conflicted Lilly. The film’s unflinching portrayal of betrayal and desperation makes it a standout in the neo-noir genre.

Audience Reactions

The shocking ending left me speechless.: The performances, especially Anjelica Huston’s, were universally praised for their depth and complexity.

Twisted characters and tense atmosphere made this movie unforgettable.: Viewers appreciated the film’s neo-noir style, with its morally ambiguous characters and unexpected plot twists.

Overall Consensus: A darkly compelling neo-noir with stellar performances, ‘The Grifters’ is a twisted tale of betrayal and desperation that leaves a lasting impression.

Awards

1. BAFTA Awards (Best Actress in a Leading Role)- 1992

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Stephen Frears originally wanted Michelle Pfeiffer for the role of Myra Langtry, but she turned it down.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Jim Thompson, a writer known for his dark and bleak crime stories.”
• “Martin Scorsese was an executive producer on the film and provided the opening voice-over narration.”
• “Anjelica Huston considered this role the most challenging of her career due to its emotional complexity and morally ambiguous nature.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Grifters?

As of October 2024, ‘The Grifters’ can be rented or purchased on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check your local listings for streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Grifters, you might like these similar films:

• House of Games (1987): Features a protagonist drawn into a world of con artists and psychological manipulation, exploring themes of deception and trust.
• The Sting (1973): Classic con artist film with elaborate schemes and unexpected twists, offering a more lighthearted take on the grift.
• American Hustle (2013): A more modern take on con artists and elaborate schemes with a focus on character-driven drama and unexpected alliances.
• Glengarry Glen Ross (1992): Explores the cutthroat world of sales and desperation, featuring morally compromised characters willing to do anything to survive.

🛒 The Grifters Related Products

• Jim Thompson: Crime Novels – American Noir Masters: The Grifters, Pop. 1280, The Killer Inside Me (3 Book Set): Dive deeper into the dark world of Jim Thompson with this collection of his most iconic noir novels. Experience the original story that inspired the movie, filled with even more twists and turns.
• The Grifters Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster. This poster captures the stylish aesthetic of the film and makes a great addition to any movie lover’s collection.
• Neo-Noir Cinema: The Grifters: A digital download of academic analysis and reviews related to Neo-Noir cinema and The Grifters. This digital content provides an in-depth exploration of the film’s themes, cinematography, and place in film history.
• Clown Portraits on Black Velvet (Set of 2): Two vintage-style clown portraits on black velvet, inspired by the clown portraits of Roy Dillon’s apartment. Adding a touch of dark, nostalgic charm to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Do Ya, Do Ya Love Me?” – performed by Dream World
• “Elmer Bernstein’s score” – performed by Elmer Bernstein

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“THE GRIFTERS” Anjelica Huston was there when this famous director ASSAULTED A 13 YEAR OLD GIRL!

Whoa, did you know Anjelica Huston was caught up in some serious drama with Roman Polanski during the making of ‘The Grifters’? This video dives into that whole situation – it’s pretty intense but gives you a whole new perspective on what was going on behind the camera!

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