On G List of Movie Reviews
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The Grifters (1990)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
8/03, 1/18
1/18:
The last time I saw The Grifters, I gave it a '2' probably because it had no plot to speak of.
My opinion is better now. It's an interesting neo-noir picture although it lacks a fully developed plot. All three,
John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, and Annette Bening, are excellent with the last two garnering Oscar nominations. I have to say
it's the best performance of John Cusack's career although I don't think of him as a great actor who has a tendency to
play his characters the same way.
The ending is totally unexpected. I think it's sad given how much Lilly Dillon was allegedly in love with his son but favored
money more. Perhaps that's her ulterior motive for hooking up with him again after so many years of no contact.
The grift bit with horse racing for Lilly is still not clear to me, especially when she pooled other people's tickets.
To come to think of it, why would Lilly be counting that much money in broad daylight at the racetrack parking lot? It's not
believable for the slightest bit.
All in all, The Grifters is more of a performance-driven picture than story while sporting a lovely but tough
neo-noir look.