Confidence (2003) User Reviews

Formulaic but fun

[segacs · 6/10 · 5 February 2005]

There's this rule in Hollywood that may be unwritten but is nonetheless ironclad: stick to the formula. The hero can't die in a romantic comedy. The drama can't be too funny, and the comedy can't be too sad. Action flicks can't be too deep, and "serious" movies have to be somewhat boring.

On the rare occasions when some movie comes along that breaks these rules, we usually get cinematic excellence. But with Confidence, don't be expecting any deviation from the format. Confidence is a fun, enjoyable, light caper movie. It doesn't pretend to be anything else. And for what it is, it's not half bad.

Edward Burns plays a con man, Jake Vig. Together with his crew of seasoned, confident fellow con men, he scams people out of money. Lots of money. And of course, sooner or later he's bound to pick the wrong person to scam. In this case it's a seemingly innocuous accountant who just happens to work for a mob kingpin, cheesily called "the King" (but played brilliantly by Dustin Hoffman). In a tight spot, Jake agrees to do a con and split the proceeds with the King, to get him off his back. What follows is the usual series of crosses, double-crosses, and triple-crosses while everyone tries to figure out who to trust and who's about to screw who over.

When I say that Confidence follows the rules, I mean it. Crime capers must have wise-talking characters. This does. Crime capers must be stylish. This is. Crime capers must have the token female, whose role is to be sexy but not too sexy. Rachel Weisz fills the part here, and does a decent job at it. (Other such token women included Julia Roberts in Ocean's Eleven, and Angela Bassett in The Score). Crime capers must make the audience scratch their heads trying to piece it all together, but must not make them think about any deeper moral issues of right and wrong. Again, Confidence lives up to that deal on both counts.

Still, it was fun escapist entertainment. And, without giving away too much of the ending, let's just say that I'm always impressed with a movie that manages to surprise me. That alone makes it worth seeing.

Perfectly paced, excellent acting, beautiful con scheme

[mihai_s · 7/10 · 5 January 2006]

Definitely one of the best con-artist movies ever. Throughout the movie, I kept thinking of the many possible twists possible, but I never really saw the final big twist - and thought it could all come together so nicely and believable. The movie is paced smoothly (there are no tedious scenes or moments you feel you've missed something), the acting is excellent (Hoffman's character seems overdone at first, but the creepy-weird character he plays is believable and, therefore, all the more serious and scary), the cons they play are very smart (and convincing), and the way it all comes together at the end is just beautiful (although the overall scheme is complex and plays many twists on the audience, it is not at all difficult to follow what 'really' happens). All in all, a very enjoyable movie, with genuine suspense, characters we get to like (and even care about - to the amount possible for grifters), excellent acting and a worthy end. 7/10 (good movie - not great, but above the average)

Good Fun! - A Confection of Slight Surprises with Quirky Characters

[lawprof · 7/10 · 2 May 2003]

Dustin Hoffman isn't charming or caring or understanding in "Confidence." Here he's not just evil, he teeters on the brink of uncontrollable madness - but with a dollop of humor that makes his violent nature more interesting (but not appealing). He is a creep!

"Confidence" is the latest in the unending string of films about men and women scam artists always scheming for that truly earthshaking big score. (There must always be an enticing, enigmatic woman for a film of this kind to keep viewers engrossed, e.g., "The Thomas Crown Affair".) And the crooks usually have soft spots in their hearts and a propensity to make silly - even deadly - errors. And at least one member of the group, usually the leader, has to look good in a well-tailored suit.

That's the situation here as Edward Burns plays the honcho of a small band of swindlers who really seem to have bonded together. They trust each other - but no one else. But, of course, they must deal with new "co-workers" whose motivations and alliances are suspect but hardly clear. And we also have a pair of the LAPD's Not Finest adding a humorous dimension not often found in tough rogue cops on the take.

And then there's Rachel Weisz - I've been a fan of her acting since "About a Boy" and "Enemy at the Gates." Certainly she's an emerging star and it's her acting ability plus her beauty that's taking her to leading roles. An English actress, she joins Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman - Down Under natives - in flawlessly speaking like a Yank (or a SOCAL denizen, not quite the same thing).

Don't look for a true mystery here. This isn't David Mamet's "The Spanish Prisoner." But it is a four-star show by a fine ensemble cast.

7/10.

Decent little con flick

[witster18 · 6/10 · 10 October 2012]

....only very mild spoilers....

"Confidence" is a decent little con flick with some nice twists in the latter-half.

The main strength of the the film is the performances from Edward Burns, and in particular, Dustin Hoffman.

Hoffman plays "The King", a sick, twisted "recovering" sociopath who takes a liking to Jake(Edward Burns) even though Burns stole a bunch of his money.

Their interaction early in the film really is the highlight. The next best part is a nice final twist.

The film has style, but nothing we haven't seen before. There's a huge dose of Steven Soderbourgh going on here with the shots and the music, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, albeit unoriginal.

The film also lacks action, and doesn't really have any stand out moments of greatness.

All that said, I found this to be worth my time. Not sure I would go out and buy it, but Hoffman and Burns are personal favorites, and if I did buy this one, they would be the reason why.

Rachel Weisz is fine in a supporting role, but the film could have used a little more character development with her and her budding relationship with Burns. Giamatti's character suffers in much the same way.

In summary: While we've seen this before, the lead characters jump off the screen and the rehashed style is still effective. I could give this a mild recommendation.

You'll like this if you liked:Out of Sight(better), Albino Alligator(worse), or Money For Nothing(slightly worse).

derivative caper film

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 9 July 2013]

Ed Burns has "Confidence" in this 2003 film also starring Dustin Hoffman, Andy Garcia, Rachel Weisz, Paul Giametti, and Donal Logue.

Burns is Jake Vig, a professional grifter who, with the help of his usual crew, has just swindled a ton of money from a mark. Unfortunately for Jake and his group of merry men -- which includes two LA cops - the mark was an accountant for a crime boss, Winston King. Not a nice guy. And two of Jake's men wind up dead.

Jake doesn't have much choice but to go to King and offer to pull off another huge job that will not only make King a fortune but pay him back. He chooses a banker, Morgan Price, and for this job, he brings in Lily (Weisz). Then Jake finds out an old Federal nemesis of his (Garcia) is following his every move and determined to bring him down.

For what it is, "Confidence" is an okay movie with good performances. It doesn't break any new ground but it's entertaining. And of course, it has the ubiquitous twists. Nowadays there's no suspense or thriller without a few twists. I will say, one I could predict, the other I didn't.

By the numbers con game made good by the very great performances of Dustin Hoffman , Rachel Weisz and Ed Burns

[dumb2ugly · 6/10 · 30 September 2003]

A mediocre script that is saved by the performances of its actors. Ed Burns does pretty good job as the lead in this film and Dustin Hoffman whose brief appearance here shows how a true legend works. Rachel Weisz makes this film a lot of fun with her performance as a sexy female con, and Andy Garcia continues to make himself into one of the great character actors of our generation. The big problem this movie has is its script, and the plot holes and continuity problems that come with it. You can tell that the story really was not though out well, and you can see the rewrites in some of the scenes in the film. Maybe if the script were more though out, we would have had a better movie than we have here right now.

Give us a sequel please!!

[marcgoedvolk · 26 September 2004]

Twists and turns, that's what makes a story, whether it's a book or a film. Since Hitchcock's superb thrillers, I like to think that I've seen most if not all movies of the genre, yet this one really surprised me that much I had to see it again right away. The plot is very original, but the sometimes staccato dialogs and use of high speed American slang language is sometimes difficult to understand for a non-American.

Nevertheless I enjoyed watching Jake Vig(Edward Burns)very much, his coolness reminds me of James Stewart and the catch of the film reminded me a little bit of Swordfish-Travolta's latest and one of his best movies ever. Dustin Hoffman's character is very convincing as an independent gangster whose money-collector gets involved in a scam and looses $150.000,- to a group of four slick hustlers.

It's this team, which members are so diverse yet fit together so perfectly that it makes me want to see another film starring the same con men, director Mr. James Foley, please give us a sequel............

Empty Exercise

[dromasca · 6/10 · 19 September 2003]

'Confidence' is an empty exercise in style. Based on a crooks scheme story filmed with some skill, and acted pretty decently by a good cast, it soon falls in routine and looks like a useless effort. The film is too technical and never succeeds to make us care about the characters or to entangle us in the grip of the plot. Even the final twist in the story comes too late - they lost us already, and good chances are that the spectator went out of the theater, or took the DVD out of the player already. 6/10 on my personal scale. Can be avoided.

Pros as Cons

[Maxcyjen · 9/10 · 4 April 2003]

Everyone must love a good con artist tale. We all see our selves as both victim and perpetrator. We love the thrill of the ride, of the something for nothing, of doing bad, but not really hurting anyone who does not deserve it. These are the archetypical elements of a good con movie, and Confidence delivers them with panache.

There is nothing really new here. No mind bending twists beyond the twists that have to be constructed for a picture like this to succeed, and succeed it does. Why? It is the cast. Everyone delivers the performance of their career in the film, and I mean everyone. I have not seen Dustin Hoffman act in a long time, and here he does much more than phone in the part. He proves himself to be a real risk taker. Nothing less can be said of any of the cast members, some familiar, others not so. This may be the defining role of Edward Burns' career, and likewise for Rachel Weisz. I did not even recognize Andy Garcia, that is how transformed we has. Imagine Paul Giamatti in a role that you did not want to slap him for or ask why he was wasting his talents!

This film is like a really rich dessert. Even though you know it is not good for you, you just cannot help yourself because it is so delicious.

Worth seeing for the cast.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 24 September 2017]

"Confidence" is an ultra slick drama about con artists with a twist laden screenplay by Doug Jung. Edward Burns stars as experienced con man Jake Vig, who works with a small team. As the movie opens, they're scamming a loser accountant (Leland Orser) who just so happens to work for a crime kingpin, "The King" (Dustin Hoffman). Naturally, the kingpin wants revenge, but he and Vig work out a deal: Vig and his team will pull a scam on a financial high roller (Robert Forster) whom the kingpin resents.

For its duration, this is actually a rather involving story that holds ones' attention, although given the way that it plays out, and is ultimately resolved, it may have viewers thinking that the story wouldn't hold up to any intense scrutiny. There may indeed be a dearth of truly likable characters, but these people are still fascinating in spite of themselves. As in any film of this kind, it is amusing to see these seemingly intelligent schemers work their way through the steps of the con, and try to figure out how to solve problems. Director James Foley guides it all in style; with the help of his editor, Stuart Levy, he crafts a quickly moving scenario that has some mildly amusing surprises to dole out along the way.

It is a pleasure to watch this group of actors at work. Burns is a tight lipped anti-hero, Rachel Weisz is tantalizingly sexy as the new "shill" in his team, Andy Garcia is a hoot as a scruffy federal agent on Burns' tail, and Dustin Hoffman makes the most of his role as a creepy, somewhat irreverent crime figure. Morris Chestnut, Louis Lombardi, Paul Giamatti, Brian Van Holt, Donal Logue, Luis Guzman, Tommy 'Tiny' Lister, Franky G, John Carroll Lynch, and Robert Pine all deliver solid performances, with Giamatti in particular standing out. He offers some comedic content as a man who's fussy enough to not like using public restrooms.

Overall, entertaining stuff that doesn't set out to muck about with any formulas established in previous Hollywood features about con artists.

Seven out of 10.

this tried to be clever and failed, tediously...

[CineCritic2517 · 4/10 · 7 October 2006]

I'm sure a lot of people enjoyed this movie and there's nothing wrong with that. But this-tik-tac-everybody's-in-on-it flick just didn't make much sense and partly due to that, it makes for a very disappointing pastime.

They tried, boy did they try... The over styled acting was annoying (Paul Giamatti leading the bunch) and almost made it a b-movie. But that's where the dialog came in to finish the job. Not to mention the soundtrack which was a blunt rip off.

This is one of those con-movies which in the end could have had God in on it to save the day. It is such an amazingly bad story that they had to use close to 20 plot twists to try to fool the audience that it would hold up. What a mess…

Actually, the only thing that made the plot work was Andy Garcia being in on the scheme, like we didn't suspect that coming. The fact that they had to compare the cleverness of their scheme to complicated chess gaming to convince the viewer, made it painfully obvious that it really wasn't.

Confidence could have been an OK-movie if it just didn't try so damn hard to be what oceans11 was. It's exactly like Dustin Hoffman said: 'sometimes style can get u killed' Apparently, it can kill a movie too…

4/10

CON HEIR

[meeza · 9/10 · 29 July 2004]

I am quite confident that 'Confidence' will be included in My Top 10 Films of 2003. However, there are others which do not abide by this constitution. Unfortunately, the film was a box office disappointment. Therefore, my job is to convert those who escaped 'Confidence' in the multiplexes and convince them to view it on DVD. 'Confidence' stars the personable Edward Burns as Jake Vig, a confident con artist who heads up a gang of trickery-consumed swindlers. Vig has a big job to do when he is ordered by a seasoned-veteran conman named Winston King to grift a business tycoon. Dustin Hoffman's performance as Winston was smokinnnnnnnnng! James Foley's patterned direction possessed intriguing qualities that contributes positively to the unanticipated plot. You will be consumed with numerous narrative twists. Screenplayer Doug Jung is one 'jung' player that is bound to pick up future projects (screenplay projects that is). The supporting acting of the film has to be considered as one of the elite of the year. Besides Hoffman's electrifying work, we had show stopper performances by Rachel Weisz, Paul Giamatti, Andy Garcia, Luis Guzman, Tony G, and Brian Van Holt. Burns' also does strike it up in his starring role as Jake Vig. It's his 'viggest' acting performance so far in his underrated career. Eddie's consummate coolness and charismatic presence are conjuncting components which make 'Vig' the big part of 'Confidence'. Contrary to popular belief, 'Confidence' is one you should be confined to. ***** Excellent

Interesting, but sometimes tried too hard

[Agent10 · 7/10 · 28 April 2003]

Sure, Confidence is a rather solid movie which has some great angles, but the film seemed to be overwrought with silliness and unbelievable plot devices.

Let's start with the things I don't like. First off, the soundtrack was pretty annoying. Second, the acting was pretty wretched. Sure, they were cool and nonplus, but everyone, including the great Dustin Hoffman, made their performances far too campy and disassociative. It seems only Rachel Weisz was believeble in her performance, which is too bad. The idea and concept was great, but only one good performance among many won't help a film. I mean, Paul Giamatti was even more annoying in this film than he was in Big Fat Liar, a movie that should have been called "Annoying, Kids Movie that Deserves to be Burned." Then, let's not forget the whole idea of Jake Vig talking to an assassin when the assassin should have been only after the money, not a good yarn. Also, being a sap for redheads, they are not bad luck, but that whole sequence in the movie is pretty funny nonetheless.

Anyway, now for the good things. The film as a whole was pretty well made, presenting some interesting angles and lighting schemes that just beamed with charisma. It felt perfect for the seedy underworld these people were living in. Once again though, Weisz was the only beacon in a film full of cartoonish performances. Fortunately, Luis Guzman and Donal Logue provided some relief from the onslaught. So, what wins out in the end?

Style and substance. This film had plenty, with a twist that was actually pretty cool and not overdone (like the film Basic). Watch it for the fact it is pretty cool, just don't expect great acting performances.

Watch "The Sting" Instead

[farflungfloyd · 4/10 · 29 September 2006]

Hmmm... I watched it and it sounded a lot like the Sting. And then I watched the documentary that came with the DVD and the screenwriter said that he watched "The Sting" and then wrote this movie.

He basically copied "The Sting." Just that he took out the characters and the ambiance. He added a wasted voice-over.

I think I can imagine the thought process behind this movie: Let's take "the Sting" and give it a noir edge to it. Then we'll update it to modern day LA (even though the screenwriter wanted a cliché-ridden NYC) and we'll include a whole lot of quick cuts and fancy colours because that's what the MTV generation likes these days.

Watch "The Sting" instead. It's much better.

Style Can Get You Killed...Unless...

[Chrysanthepop · 15 June 2008]

Foley's 'Confidence' is very much a formulaic gangster con-thriller with the usual gang, the villain, the feminine touch, the weapons and money and the twists. But it still manages to remain engaging and entertaining. It's a small film but the resources have been adequately used and it is very well executed with style and substance. The cinematography and visuals are wild and the score is energetic.

The story's pretty tight and moves at a steady pace. The characters are richly defined. The dialogues are sharp, witty and funny. Edward Burns's voice-over adds to the humour. Doug Jung does a splendid job indeed in the writing department.

Performances by all the actors is great. Edward Burns is brilliant as the superstitious con artist Jake. His fellow team-members Brian Van Holt and Paul Giamatti are equally good. Rachel Weisz oozes sensuality (but thankfully doesn't go overboard with it) and acts very well. Andy Garcia is adequate and Dustin Hoffman is a natural (this guy will make one laugh out loud).

'Confidence' is a slick stylish thriller that doesn't pretend to be anything else, when compared to other weaker movies like 'The Heist', 'Ocean's 11' or 'The Score'. It follows the formula of the genre but it's a smart film and has its twists that are enough to grip your attention.

A Contemporary Version of "The Sting"

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 18 December 2004]

Jack Vig (Edward Burns) is a grifter and leader of a crew of con men, composed of his long time friends Gordo (Paul Giamatti), Alphonse "Big Al" Moorley (Louis Lombardi) and Mile (Brian Van Holt) and supported by two dirty police detectives, Officer Lloyd Whitworth (Donal Loque) and Officer Omar Manzano (Luis Gusmán). When "Big Al" is killed by hit men sent by the mobster boss Winston King (Dustin Hoffman), after a con when King's money was stolen by Jack and his men, Jack has to repay King. While planning a huge con suggested by King against a bank, with the participation of Lupus (Franky G), member of King's gang, and the delicious swindler Lily (Rachel Weisz), Jack looks for revenge against King. Meanwhile, the mysterious federal agent Gunther Butan (Andy Garcia) chases Jack, in a story with a surprising end. "Confidence" is a sort of contemporary version of "The Sting", where nothing is what seems to be. The story is full of turning points, and although having a predictable end, it is also a surprising end (if the reader has watched the movie, he / she understands what I mean). Rachel Weisz is amazingly beautiful as usual and the film entertains with a very unlikely and charming story. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Confidence – O Golpe Perfeito" ("Confidence – The Perfect Stroke"

great actor doing solid work but movie lacks tension

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 3 November 2015]

Travis (Morris Chestnut) is holding a gun on Jake Vig (Edward Burns) and the movie goes back 3 weeks earlier. Jake and his crew Big Al (Louis Lombardi), Gordo (Paul Giamatti), Miles (Brian Van Holt), Whitworth (Donal Logue) and Manzano (Luis Guzmán) trick Lionel Dolby (Leland Orser) out of a suitcase full of cash. The problem is that Lionel was suppose to deliver that money to the infamous Mr. King (Dustin Hoffman). To even the score for King, Jake agrees to con Morgan Price (Robert Forster). Lily (Rachel Weisz) is the mysterious pickpocket.

This is an amazing group of actors doing solid work. It is a con movie where everybody is working an angle and everything is fake. It's a writing exercise and the main problem is that director James Foley is unable to deliver any tension. Edward Burns may be too cool for school. He needs to show a little fear so that the audience can feel the danger. It's a bit of style and the traditional con mystery. However it doesn't get the heart pumping.

Interesting story but it lacks zip.

[senortuffy · 7/10 · 27 September 2003]

This was a pretty interesting film. I'm pretty good at seeing the plot twist coming, but this one completely took me by surprise. It's very clever how everything in the ledger is balanced out in the end.

But I have to say the movie isn't as good as the story. It's hard to put my finger on because I liked it, but let's just say that it lacks sparkle, pizzazz, whatever the word is. The acting and direction are all good, but it just lacks that certain something that makes other con game movies like "The Sting" or "The Grifters" great.

Edward Burns is good as the central character, Jake, but he's not particularly likable in the role. Smooth, yes. But appealing? No.

Dustin Hoffman has a role as the gangster they accidentally steal from and have to pay back, but he really isn't in the film very much and he plays his character as sort of an oddball. Andy Garcia also has an important part as a federal agent hot on Jake's trail, but he also doesn't have much to do and also plays the part a bit quirky.

This is an enjoyable film, but if you want to watch a movie about crooks who are more interesting, better to rent out "The Grifters" or "After Dark, My Sweet."

A Fair Con Movie

[steve_lostmt · 6/10 · 24 May 2003]

Confidence is the standard who's conning who now film, not overly complicated but fast-paced and mildly entertaining. The language was foul, the nudity was gratuitous.

As others have said, it's not the Sting, but it's certainly not as awful as The Spanish Prisoner. I found it very comparable to Ocean's Eleven. The actors ooze "Aren't we so cool" throughout the predictable plots of both movies.

What lowers this movie a notch below Ocean's Eleven is the creepy Dustin Hoffman character. I'm not a big Hoffman fan anyway, but that was too much. It's almost sad. While Al Pacino, who's roughly the same age, seems to have revived his career in Insomnia and The Recruit, Hoffman has sunk to accepting a part like this.

Overall, worth the matinee price, but not one I'll watch again.

Adrenaline Rush for the Mind

[vikefan · 10/10 · 29 April 2003]

This film is fabulous. Great writing, dialogue. Thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying. You will clap, laugh, grin from ear to ear for the ride ride it takes you on. Quick, smart, funny, fresh with its searing wit. I applauded at the end in thanks for the ride.

Entertaining but nothing new

[gillman11 · 6/10 · 25 June 2004]

Nicely scripted and directed. Great performances from everyone - even surprisingly the usually irritating Ed Burns.

Hoffman never really pulls off the menacing mobster bit but puts in a nice turn.

Rachel Weisz is as sexy as ever and the supporting turns (especially Paul Giamatti and Luis Guzman) are uniformly excellent.

The structure of the story and Foley's smooth direction keep it flowing along sweetly.

You'll see the "twist" coming a mile off but don't let that put you off.

If you like con movies its well worth 90 minutes of your time.

Try and stay awake.......

[Rob_Taylor · 5/10 · 19 August 2003]

From the start it became obvious that this film owed a lot to the likes of Snatch and Lock, Stock et al. At least, it was pitched at the audience in a very similar way, though without the comedy element that made the aforementioned films fun to watch.

Given its attempted rip-off of other movies, its no surprise that the story has a few twists along the way. Trouble is, they were kind of predictable. At least, they would have been if I had been paying more than casual attention to the film. The truth is, I found it difficult to get interested in this story. Too bland, too derivative, too much of everything. Trouble is, other films have already done it, and done it better. Imagine watching a remake of the Godfather, but with completely different actors. You'll have some idea of how Confidence made me feel.

All in all a dull and uninspiring film.

A Pretty Slick Thriller

[mjw2305 · 8/10 · 17 January 2005]

I avoided this movie for while, i looked at the cover and put it back, looked again, put it back. Months passed and for some reason i just took a chance and bought it. I have to say i'm glad that i did.

Basically its a slick thriller about money and power, with a good cast, solid plot and enough well crafted twists to make it a little special.

It isn't a masterpiece, but it is certainly worth watching, and the story is linear enough to appeal to a wide audience.

8/10

If you enjoyed this you'll probably like 'SWORDFISH' and 'OCEANS 11' both have a similar feel.

Decent film

[lp-27434 · 6/10 · 29 January 2022]

This movie had great actors, a good story and some really good dialogue. But the story never really pulled you in and you find yourself waiting to get excited. Even though the ending was not what you expected (actually a very good ending) the middle of the movie never developed.

Some very good acting but either the writing or direction hurt the film from being better.

Tiresome con caper

[Conners_76 · 19 September 2003]

These Mamet-style, "quadruple-cross" movies are fine per se, but since the viewer knows he can't take any of the events at face value, the film needs something to offer the audience beyond its convoluted plot.

A bit of charm on the part of the characters perhaps? Instead they are played as suave but obnoxious grifters.

Hoffman gives the impression he's trying too hard, but Andy Garcia is great.