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The Grifters

Anjelica Huston (Actor), John Cusack (Actor), Stephen Frears (Director) Rated:
R
Format: DVD
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 741 ratings
IMDb6.9/10.0
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Format Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Contributor Annette Bening, Anjelica Huston, Stephen Frears, John Cusack
Language English
Runtime 1 hour and 50 minutes
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Product Description

Anjelica Huston (When in Rome), John Cusack (Hot Tub Time Machine) and Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right) star in this acclaimed hit where seduction and betrayal could lead to murder.

When small-time cheat Roy Dillon (Cusack) winds up in the hospital following an unsuccessful scam, it sets up a confrontation between his estranged mother Lilly (Huston) and sexy girlfriend Myra (Bening). Both Lilly and Myra are ruthless con-artists playing the game in a league far above Roy…and always looking for their next victim. The question soon becomes who's conning who as Roy finds himself caught in a complicated web of passion and mistrust.

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ R (Restricted)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.75 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 2.56 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Stephen Frears
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 50 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ June 28, 2011
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Miramax
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004YCKKFK
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 741 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
741 global ratings
I really really really hate this movie only slightly less than I hate Jeremy Piven
1 Star
I really really really hate this movie only slightly less than I hate Jeremy Piven
Awful... So terrible it taints the book it's authof and the honorable profession of grifting. Easily the worst adaptation of a Thompson novel. I never for one second found any of the characters to be believable other than the character actor who played Bobo. AngelicaHouston gives an even worse performance than when she gave her testimony in the rape trial of Roman Polanski. Annette Benning tries to channel Gloria Graham but instead turns out a performance that reaches the dramatic levels of an SNL skit.John Cusick possibly delivers the worst performance I have ever seen in any major motion picture but to his defense he may have possibly been the most miscast actor in any major motion picture. Also the bit part of Jeremy Piven (who in fact made a living off of being John Q Zack's boyfriend for nearly his entire career till landing his role of the douche agent in that equally douchey show entourage) made me hate the film even more. J-Pivs was even a bald dork back then...a baby fat bald dork. The fact that Scorsese produced this complete mess should tarnish his legacy, however I think most have forgotten about this piece of crap...much like After Hours. In conclusion Annette Benning Angelica Houston and John Q Zack are all terrible actors especially John Q Zack...he may be an acting robot or an all star on the casting couch?
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Top reviews from the United States

Quinton Bryant Malone
5.0 out of 5 stars a masterpiece!!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
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Houston, Benning, and Cusack at their BEST!!!
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Raider
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good movie
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2023
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Heartbreaking and worth watching.
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Dr. Robert F. Knoll
4.0 out of 5 stars And Mommy Makes Three
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2013
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British director Stephen Frears' "The Grifters" is proof positive that a film noir can be set outdoors in dazzling Southern California sunshine as well as indoors in seedy bars and hotels. It can feature not one but two femmes fatales. If the genre requires one, two will absolutely guarantee the demise of one not-as-bright-as-he-thinks-he-is anti-hero. John Cusack's Roy Dillon is the victim of his own greed and small time cheats. His fellow grifters (con artists) are his beautiful and manipulative mother, Lilly (Anjelica Huston),who gave birth to him at the age of 14 and his beautiful and manipulative girl friend, Myra (Annette Bening),who gives a fresh definition to the term to "use sex as a weapon". A split screen early in the film brackets Roy with the two women, all three of them sporting fashionable sunglasses and self satisfied smiles.
The recipient of four Oscar nominations for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director, "The Grifters" is, in my estimation, one of the cream of the 1990 cinematic crop, along with "Cyrano de Bergerac", The Godfather Part III", Goodfellas" and "Reversal of Fortune".
Prior to this lethal tragicomedy, Frears' best work had included "My Beautiful Laundrette" (1985) and "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988). Sexual politics would appear to be one of the director's dominant themes: the gay romance between a delinquent young British punk and a young Pakistani aspiring entrepreneur ("Laundrette") and the middle-aged French aristocrats who are former lovers and present despoilers of the young ("Liaisons"). Here the sexual politics revolve around stolen money and the desire to obtain it by any means necessary, including violence, seduction and even a whiff of incest.
"The Grifters" finds Anjelica Huston in the middle of the most successful and accomplished portion of her career. After winning her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her father John Huston's "Prizzi's Honor" (1985), she gave a luminous performance in his final film, "The Dead"(1987) and another in "Enemies: A Love Story" (1989), which earned her a second Best Supporting Actress nomination. The following year, she scored a double triumph with "The Grifters" and "The Witches". The former outrageous and courageous performance bought her her only Best Actress nomination. Her born to play it role of Morticia Addams would follow.
Wielding white blonde hair that would do Marilyn Monroe proud, she negotiates her environment of racetracks, saloons and motels in high heels and mini-skirted suits. Lilly lives dangerously, skimming money from her brutal gambler boss ( a terrifying because quiet performance by Pat Hingle) and trying to keep it hidden until she can escape into hiding. Facing the loss of her stash due to the treachery of her son's girlfriend, whom she loathes and by whom she is loathed in return, Lilly will even try to seduce her son with a denial of her maternity. As befitting a crime film, things don't end well.
Writing, directing, scoring (jaunty and ominous, courtesy of Elmer Bernstein) and especially acting are the hallmarks of excellence in "The Grifters". The Blu-ray disc, however, leaves a bit to be desired. Darkened scenes, especially those shot in hallways, are quite grainy. The disc lacks a theatrical trailer and subtitles; the soundtrack is a dated 2.0 stereo rendition. Still, given its modest Amazon price, "The Grifters", in its Blu-ray guise, is worth purchasing at about half the cost of a current movie ticket.
2 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Neo Noir
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
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Cusack should have been nominated for an Oscar along with his costars who were. Well crafted, well acted, well produced… A gem…
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J. Center
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2001
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I've never been a John Cusack fan, but he's utterly riveting in the role of a coming-of-age grifter caught between two indelible women. Annette Bening, at least here, is a pure force of nature, a sexy tsunami overwhelming everything in her path. And Anjelica Huston??? Her entire career has been one splendid performance after another, and this is one of her finest. You simply cannot take your eyes off her. The interaction of these three is one of the best examples of ensemble acting outside of an Altman film. And the little subtleties around these three -- from the brilliant set piece of the orange scene to the almost-identical dresses worn by Lily and Myra to Elmer Bernstein's moody score -- make The Grifters a compelling experience. The only disappointment is that the CD has NO extras at all, but you could certainly make the case that this is a movie that can stand completely on its own.
22 people found this helpful
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Con Harrigan Emmons
3.0 out of 5 stars Mommy Problems
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2022
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Highly talented cast includes John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, J.T. Walsh, Henry Jones from VERTIGO and, in an especially violent scene, Pat Hingle from ON THE WATERFRONT. The film is filled with compelling moments throughout that don’t always hang together well and often complicate a plot that makes no sense while keeping you guessing. Not, perhaps, the right type of film for the very talented Stephen Frears. Worth a look, definitely, but not much more.
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John T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Spellbinding!!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2001
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I have seen this work of art several times in the VHS format and once on DVD (I don't agree with Wide Screen's review of the DVD; I found the cinemaphotogray/lighting to be entrancing and enhancing to the various scenes). Other Amazon reviewers have pretty well covered the plot and some have (rightfully so) observed the fine acting. The final scene between mother and son are the epitome of survival of the fittest, and still leave me slackjawed. Maybe that's why I have seen it more than once and want to watch it again and have placed my order for a copy on DVD. I know it's hard for some people to accept a mother like this, but they are out there, and not necessarily in the world of gangsters. Also, I suppose the ending makes some viewers forget just how caring this mother really is, as when she threatens her son's doctor with death (and we know she can follow through with this threat)if anything happens to her son.
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Jim Moriarty
4.0 out of 5 stars Good movie filled with top stars.
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2023
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Worth being in your collection.
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Trim Vis 44
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Stephen Frears' classic
Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2018
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A fascinating study of three con artists who fancy themselves at the top of their game while actually struggling to survive. It has perfect casting — all three leads are the right age and have the ideal looks for the characters they are portraying. Angelica Huston even looks as though she could be related to Cusack. The film has a great 50s noir look even though it is set in the 80s suggesting that the world of bars, hotels, race-tracks and city streets looks much the same no matter the era. The same applies to the con-mens' clothes — these characters would probably dress as they do no matter the fashions of the day. The acting is impeccable. Bening positively sparkles! And there are familiar faces in the supporting cast: Pat Hingle, J.T.Walsh, Henry Jones. Stephen Frears is one brilliant movie maker who has never gotten his due deserts (at least from Hollywood); hard to believe that the director of such classics as "Liaisons Dangereuses," and "The Queen" have never won his an Oscar.
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Tita Fürst - Koren
5.0 out of 5 stars Zwei Frauen, ein Mann; und alle sind im selben gefährlichen Geschäft
Reviewed in Germany on November 11, 2018
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The Grifters kann man als Abzocker übersetzen, oder das Original behalten, weil man dieses Wort in den Kreisen sowieso versteht. Jim Thompson, der mehrere Romane a la Raymond Chandler und andere amerikanische Krimiautoren geschrieben hat, liefert hier die Filmvorlage. Stephen Frears hat einen sehr guten Drehbuchautor für den Film gewinnen können, Donald E. Westlake, der selbst Kriminalromane schrieb. Und für die Produktion hat er u.A. Martin Scorsese bekommen. Und trotzdem ist der Film vomn 1990 nicht so bekannt, wie er sein sollte. Nicht mehr...

Ein Dreieck, das sich schon am Beginn zeigt, beherrscht die Handlung. Roy Dillon (John Cusack) lebt an der Westküste von Amerika. Er ist 25 Jahre jung, hat noch nie im Leben gearbeitet. Mit 17 Jahren ist er vom Zuhause abgehaut. Er wollte rasch etwas Geld verdienen und hat einen Mentor gefunden, der ihm das Kartenspiel beigebracht hat. Natürlich nicht auf ehrliche Art. Aber, ganz groß kommt er nicht raus, er hat öfter mal Pech, verliert das Geld. Er wohnt in einer Wohnung (Hotel/Motel?), sein Geld hat er hinter einem Bildrahmen versteckt.
Seine Freundin Myra Langtry (Annette Benig) macht auch alles "inoffiziell", nur weiß Roy davon nur wenig. Sie erhofft sich eine Zusammenarbeit mit ihm, die ihr (und ihm) wieder viel Geld bringen würde. Die Dritte im Bunde ist Roys Mutter Lilly (Anjelica Huston). Die Beziehungen zwischen den Protagonisten sind eher unfreiwillig. Es herrscht kein Vertrauen, naja, sagen wir, es herrscht Misstrauen - jeder hintergeht den anderen (die andere).
Als Roy von einem Barmann geschlagen wurde (er hat wieder mal einen Trick vermasselt), hat er große Schmerzen. Zufällig ist seine Mutter in der Stadt, die ihn besucht und sofort die Lage erkennt. Roy hat innere Blutungen und sie kann ihm das Leben retten. Das sagt sie ihm einige Male - 'ich habe Dir zweimal das Leben geschenkt' , dabei geht ihr Blick zu der Freundin, der sie nicht über den Weg traut. Nicht dass Roy sich sehr aufregt. Die Mutter war 14 Jahre jung bei seinem Geburt, ihre Beziehung lässt zu wünschen übrig. Aber, sie will nicht, dass ihr Sohn Myra als Freundin hat. Ihre geschulten Augen sehen sofort, was Roy nicht bemerkt, Myra ist eiskalt, sie beherrscht die hohe Kunst des "Geldverdienen".
Die drei werden also nicht Freunde, aber Roy hat jetzt mehr und mehr Probleme. Einmal ist er um seine Mutter besorgt, die von Mafia verfolgt wird, dann macht ihm Myra das Leben schwer. Sie will, dass er in die Geschäfte mit falschen Informationen über die Börsenbetrügereien einsteigt. Das kann ganz tief in die Hose gehen, ihr früherer Partner ist zur Zeit und "noch danach" in einem Krankenhaus für psychische (unheilbare) Patienten.
Roy will nicht von dieser Art der Geschäften hören. Es kommt zu einem Streit, Myra wird aus der Wohnung rausgeworfen.
Jetzt beginnt ein Spiel, das keiner gewinnen kann. Misstrauen, Streitereien, Verrat und noch und noch pflastern den Weg, die Myra, Lilly und Roy nun gehen. Jeder für sich alleine, keiner will nachgeben. Lilly hat Problem mit ihrem Boss, sie hat bei den Pferderennen in La Jolla MIst gebaut.

Es ist also, wie Lilly zu Roy sagt: 'Du wirst NIE einen anständigen Job kriegen', und er darauf ganz coll: 'Nicht diese Woche'.
Frears spielt hier mit drei Menschen, die keine Arbeit tun wollen, das Geld aber lieben und brauchen. Manchmal sagt Roy, er wolle mit dem Zocken aufhören, glauben kann man ihm nicht (ganz).
Myra, die extrem eifersüchtig ist, will für das liebe Geld alles machen. Sie braucht Roy zur Zeit, seine Mutter steht ihr im Weg. Und so geht es auch Lilly, die alles tun würde um Myra von Roy wegzubringen.
Die zwei starken Frauen kämpfen regelrecht um einen Mann, nicht aus Liebe (oder nur wenig).
Wird es einen Gewinner geben? Kann man aus dieser Situation rauskommen? Kann man ein neues Leben anfangen, das man nicht kennt und eigentlich nicht will. Aus purer Not?

Anjelica Huston spielt hier wieder superb. Im selben Jahr hatte Kathy Bates (Misery) den Oscar gewonnen, sie war ebenso gut. Annette Bening, die mit jedem Film besser wird, ist hier etwas hinter der großen Huston. Aber sie kann sich durchsetzen und gehört seit Jahren zu meinen Lieblingsschauspielerinnen. John Cusack, der hier glänzt, ist aus der Dynastie Cusack und co .. ein Genie, nicht nur als Schauspieler.
Das Drehbuch ist angelehnt, wie schon geschrieben, an die Film Noir Zeit. Perfekt. Traue keinem... Und was soll ich noch zu Frears schreiben, seine Filme sprechen für ihn.
Die Kamerabilder sind sehr gut, die Technik könnte besser sein, aber, wie immer, bewerte ich das nicht. Und die Sprache ist etwas schlechter zu hören (bitte im Originalton, wenn es geht, obwohl ohne UT), aber man kann es durchaus verstehen.
Frears ist ein Werk gelungen; der Film beginnt eher langsam, man glaubt, es geht um kleine Gauner. Dann steigert sich das Tempo bis zum Finale, das man nie vergessen wird.
Gerade habe ich bemerkt, dass ich an "Frears-Abhängigkeit" leide. Man möge mir verzeihen.
Hier noch mein Tipp, die Rezension von Ray (2014) ist perfekt.
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Spike Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars My son is going to be all right. If not, I'll have you killed.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2014
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The Grifters is directed by Stephen Frears and adapted to screenplay by Donald E. Westlake from the novel of the same name written by Jim Thompson. It stars Anjelica Huston, John Cusack and Annette Bening. Music is by Elmer Bernstein and cinematography by Oliver Stapleton.

"The best reason I can think of is that you scare the hell out of me. I have seen women like you before, baby. You're double-tough and you are sharp as a razor, and you get what you want or else; but you don't make it work forever. Sooner or later the lightning hits, and I'm not gonna be around when it hits you"

1990 was a grand year for neo-noir, of the dozen + titles that came out that year, The Grifters sits atop of the pile. A superlative film noir that boasts class on the page and on both sides of the camera. Set in modern day Los Angeles, the story follows three cynical and sly con artists through a psychological fog of bluff, double bluff, pain, misery, manipulations and shattering developments. That the trio consists of a boyfriend, girlfriend and an estranged mother only darkens the seamy waters still further.

Los Angeles positively bristles with a smouldering atmosphere thanks to the work of Frears, Bernstein and Stapleton. Sexual tension is ripe, Westlake's adaptation doing justice to Thompson's novel, while the three leads - and Pat Hingle in super support - are on fire, bringing complex characters vividly to life as they trawl through the devilishly labyrinthine plot, adding biting humour and shallow savagery into the bargain.

A top draw neo-noir that doesn't cut corners or pull its punches, from the split screen opening salvo to the pitch black finale, The Grifters delivers high quality for neo-noir fans. 9/10
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars ... sexiest role where she plays John Cusack's girlfriend and perfect partner to outsmart and out deal John's mother played ...
Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2016
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The Lovely Annette Bening is at her sexiest role where she plays John Cusack's girlfriend and perfect partner to outsmart and out deal John's mother played by Anjelica Huston who is a cunning and dangerous as any miscreant . You will be shocked by the ending.
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paris16
1.0 out of 5 stars Bluray totalement indigne
Reviewed in France on June 6, 2015
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Un chef-d'oeuvre pareil qui se fait traiter de la sorte, dans une édition sans aucun sous-titre disponible, aucun doublage, aucun bonus, même pas la bande-annonce !! ATTENTION donc, car le film est en version originale NON sous-titrée (ni anglais ni aucune langue), et encore moins en doublage français. Pas étonnant que ce bluray soit passé "best buy" au Royaume-Uni dès sa sortie, tant le foutage de gueule est grand. En ce qui concerne l'image, c'est à peine mieux qu'un DVD, l'image n'est pas restaurée, tout juste nettoyée. Bref, pour avoir une édition digne de ce nom, il faudra patienter...
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