Since I haven't seen "Nine Queens" I don't know how "Criminal" stacks up next to the source. On its own merits, however, it makes for a compact little caper.
As is often the case, conning is the name of the game with two small-league criminals (the excellent John C. Reilly and Diego Luna) attempting to hoodwink another one, but with nothing being what it seems, etc., etc. It's not the most extraordinary tale of its kind, but unlike another caper movie involving producers George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh, the wildly overrated "Ocean's Eleven," this story doesn't give itself over to how stylish it thinks it is, devoting itself more to its characters. It's not exactly exciting, but at least it holds the attention and doesn't last a moment longer than it has to.
As for the acting, in another departure from the "Ocean's Eleven" trope it's fine (no need for stars here), although one wishes that Maggie Gyllenhaal could have been put to more and better use. The movie may be about a con job, but it's unlikely to rip off the viewer.
A short and to the point review for a short and to the point movie.
As is often the case, conning is the name of the game with two small-league criminals (the excellent John C. Reilly and Diego Luna) attempting to hoodwink another one, but with nothing being what it seems, etc., etc. It's not the most extraordinary tale of its kind, but unlike another caper movie involving producers George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh, the wildly overrated "Ocean's Eleven," this story doesn't give itself over to how stylish it thinks it is, devoting itself more to its characters. It's not exactly exciting, but at least it holds the attention and doesn't last a moment longer than it has to.
As for the acting, in another departure from the "Ocean's Eleven" trope it's fine (no need for stars here), although one wishes that Maggie Gyllenhaal could have been put to more and better use. The movie may be about a con job, but it's unlikely to rip off the viewer.
A short and to the point review for a short and to the point movie.