moonspinner55
American remake of the 2000 Argentinian film "Nine Queens" features John C. Reilly in a superlative performance as a sometimes-successful Los Angeles con-man who partners with a Spanish grifter he meets one morning trying to swindle waitresses in a casino; they become involved in a scheme to dupe an Irish billionaire out of 750 Gs with a rare (and counterfeit) bill of foreign currency. Director Gregory Jacobs, who also co-wrote the script with Sam Lowry (the pen name of Steven Soderbergh), wisely allows Reilly lots of room to go into his maniacal arias, which is a good thing since little else in "Criminal" quite measures up to him (certainly not that generic title!). Although the colorful supporting cast is excellent, Reilly is the spark plug to the entire picture--a fact which makes the final curtain something of a let-down. Since this house-of-cards scenario is filled with cross and double-cross, it's difficult to fault the general plotting (it's a writer's conceit, after all); however, the impetus of this story--how it all gets set into motion--is questionable by the denouement. Still, an engrossing and enjoyable film with a high-wire acting job from Reilly, which might have received a great deal more acclaim had the overall results been stronger. **1/2 from ****
Martha Savila
I rented "Criminal" when I briefly read the description of the plot. When I started to see it, I realized that it was a remake of the Argentinian "9 Queens". What a disappointment! I believe any remake should make it clear that it's a copy/ adaptation of another (foreign or local) film. I am not against remakes, I just feel that I am entitled to know this detail, specially if they completely change the name/title. By the way, in my opinion "9 Queens" is way superior to "Criminal". First, both lead actors are more authentic in "9 Queens", and they are very representative of a period of Argentinian reality. Diego Luna's average Mexican immigrant looks and accent made him a complete miscast, and Gyllenhaal just imitated the Argentinian leading lady.
Lady_Stormy23
A great film! I had never heard of it until I saw it in a video store, as far as I knew, it was straight to video. I picked it up, read the back and saw it was produced by George clooney. and George Clooney doesn't make mistakes (Except oceans 12 and batman&robin). So I figured it had to be a good movie. John C. Riley makes a great con artist in this film where he and Diego Luna as another con artist team up to con a rare counterfeit bill for a huge amount of money. Along the way they have to pull several small cons together. It all pulls together in the end with an awesome twist comparable to "Usual Suspects" and "Murder on the orient express"
Argemaluco
Nine queens is one of the greatest Argentinean movies.Criminal,that movie's remake,is not a bad movie and it's way better that almost all recent remakes but it's not at the same level of the original.The superb and unexpected ending on the original movie,on this movie lost surprise for me because I knew it.But Criminal is a fun movie.The people who saw Nine queens will be fun with this movie but without surprise but the people who did not see Nine queens will enjoy it much more.I knew all the surprises from the beginning but I was fun watching this movie and it's way better that recent remakes.Rating: 7
AD
