The Grifters (1990)
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Synopsis: THE GRIFTERS is an intense character study of a group of people caught up in a world where nobody can be trusted. Stephen Frears presents this cool and brutal adaptation of Jim Thompson's stylish noir novel, which centers on the complex lives of three con artists. Shady Roy Dillon (John... THE GRIFTERS is an intense character study of a group of people caught up in a world where nobody can be trusted. Stephen Frears presents this cool and brutal adaptation of Jim Thompson's stylish noir novel, which centers on the complex lives of three con artists. Shady Roy Dillon (John Cusack), a low-level Los Angeles con man and petty thief, and Roy's sexy, amoral girlfriend Myra (Annette Bening), a con artist who is down on her luck and willing to do whatever it takes to get back on top of her game; are the focal point of the action. Rounding out the trio is Roy's mother, Lilly (Angelica Huston), a veteran con artist who shares little with Roy other than a bizarre oedipal attraction. The seedy underbelly of LA life is played out in evocative tableaux, as Myra and Lilly compete for Roy's attention until they ultimately drive him away. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, John Cusack, Stephen Tobolowsky, Michael Laskin
Story: Jim Thompson
Producer: Martin Scorsese, Robert A. Harris, Jim Painter
Composer: Elmer Bernstein
DVD Info
Release:
Sep 24, 2002
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85:1
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Stephen Frears - Director, Donald Westlake - Screenwriter, John Cusack - Star, Angelica Huston - Star
- Making-of - 1. THE MAKING OF THE GRIFTERS
- Trailers
Interactive Features:
- Scene Access
- Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Slide Show - 1. THE GRIFTERS Scrapbook
- Additional Text - 1. The Jim Thompson Story
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
British helmer Stephen Frears makes an auspicious American debut with this light, speedy, perfectly executed noir, based on Jim Thompson's novel, boasting three terrific performances; one of the best films of the year
Frears' adaptation transmutes Jim Thompson's classic pulp novel into Greek tragedy.

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