The Grifters

Critics Consensus

Coolly collected and confidently performed, The Grifters is a stylish caper that puts the artistry in con.

91%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 43

70%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 11,002

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Movie Info

Director Stephen Frears' tense adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel The Grifters was one of a number of revival film noirs in the first half of the '90s. Updating the setting to contemporary Los Angeles, the film follows a trio of con artists who are intent on out-foxing each other. Roy Dillon (John Cusack) is a simple, two-bit con, whose life is thrown into turmoil when his estranged mother Lilly (Anjelica Huston) returns home in an attempt to evade the law. Lilly doesn't warm to Roy's girlfriend Myra Langtry (Annette Bening), who is too similar to herself. Soon, the two women are competing for Roy in a battle that is more of a power struggle than a pursuit of affection, and the battle quickly turns dangerous. Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for her work.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language, nudity, violence)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Stephen Frears
  • Written By:
    Donald E. Westlake
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    HBO Video

Cast

John Cusack
as Roy Dillon
Anjelica Huston
as Lilly Dillon
Annette Bening
as Myra Langtry
Michael Laskin
as Irv
Pat Hingle
as Bobo Justus
Gailard Sartain
as Joe
J.T. Walsh
as Cole
Charles Napier
as Rebbing
Juliet Taylor
Victoria Thomas
Ray Sharkey
as FBI Man
Jan Munroe
as Guy at Bar
Stephen Tobolowsky
as Jeweler
Ivette Soler
as Maid
Henry Jones
as Simms
Ed Jones
as Mintz
Richard Holden
as Cop
Xander Berkeley
as Lieutenant Pierson
Michael Greene
as Dealer
Jason Ronard
as Shill
John Drew Barrymore
as Roper
Sandy Baron
as Doctor
Lou Hancock
as Nurse
Juliet Landau
as Lilly (age 19-22)
Bradley Pierce
as Roy (age 5)
Noelle Harling
as Carol
Ashton Buzamat
as Roy (age 8)
Jack McGee
as Clerk
Gregory Sporleder
as Sailor - Spooney
Ron Campbell
as 2nd Clerk
Steve Buscemi
as Kaggs
Paul Adelstein
as 1st Soldier
Jeremy Piven
as 2nd Soldier
Gregory Sporlader
as 3rd Soldier
David Sinaiko
as 4th Soldier
Jeff Perry
as Drunk
Micole Mercurio
as Waitress
Jon Gries
as Drunk's Friend
Sy Richardson
as Cab Driver
Frances Bay
as Arizona Motel Clerk
Teresa Gilmore Capps
as Receptionist 1
Jimmy Noonan
as Bartender
John Gillespie
as Bartender
Elizabeth Ann Feeley
as 2nd Receptionist
Trisha King
as 1st Beachgoer
Eddie Jones
as Mintz
Billy Ray Sharkey
as FBI Man
Robert J. Weems
as Racetrack Announcer
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Critic Reviews for The Grifters

All Critics (43) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (4)

View All Critic Reviews (43)

Audience Reviews for The Grifters

  • Aug 28, 2014
    A young con artist learns the hard way that relationship problems cannot be solved with money. And there's a crapload of money here on display. Every time you look somebody is reaching into a bag to pull out stacks of green. Stacks of green laying around like a Halloween candy grab. And while Cusack and Bening are okay in this, make no mistake this is Anjelica Huston's movie. The best scene is between her and Pat Hingle, who can pull off psycho/wackjob with the best of them.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Nov 29, 2011
    "The Grifters" is a film all about style. It takes on the attitude of a hardboiled film noir, bringing back memories of a time never replicated but always copied. The score by Elmer Bernstein is a fantastic one and worthy of an Academy award, and there is great acting all around, especially from Annette Bening. This is a film that isn't liked by many due to its pacing and lack of tangible plot, but I found to be quite mesmerizing for the most part. A rewarding watch.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Apr 28, 2011
    This is my semi-strange parallel: I see this film as a depraved, con man version of My Cousin Vinny. It's regional, it's tricky, and it's female character driven, even though the protagonist in each is ostensibly the male. But I think it's mostly because Annette Bening's character reminds me a lot of Marisa Tomei's, body hugging dress and all.
    Jennifer X Super Reviewer
  • Nov 17, 2010
    ok first of all..for those who don't know what a grifter is, its when a person manipulates another individual to give them money leaving you high and dry. this film is based on a novel and it follows a trio of con artists who are intent on out-foxing each other. great performances and a solid script
    ♥Robyn Super Reviewer
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