Review: Having perused two films (the other was Identity) on Saturday I was amazed by one major similarity. They both had what could be considered B-Movie scripts while starring A-List casts.

Confidence, directed by James Foley (who did a superb job with Glengarry Glen Ross), is a real mix of highs and lows but the direction of Foley is never at fault. From the cinematography of cold blues and flaring reds to a rough edge to give the film a more gritty, film noir-ish feel the work stands on its own. That stems more from competence on Foley’s part than any real confidence, the film never differs from the huge bumper crop of con flicks that have been made before it.

Problem #1 comes in the opening frames. Ed Burns narrates over his bloody body with the line of “So, I’m dead” (recalling Sunset Boulevard) and the narration doesn’t let up. There is a school of thought that goes, if you have to tell your tale through constant narration, then your script needs re-working. Who said that? You got me, because I have a few flicks I love that are just stuffed to the gills with narration…but at points, Burns (looking like a slightly puffed up Ben Affleck) goes on a little too much.

The second problem with any con film is that the audience is daring you to outwit them. Ever since The Sting, still one of the finest grift flicks ever constructed, the audience has been getting harder and harder to con themselves. The answer, according to Confidence, is to fill the story with an ensemble of side stories, flashbacks and red herrings in order to win out with one final twist. You will catch most of these switches, but some of them you are denied the chance to catch until the reveal, which is what makes Confidence at least worthy of a viewing.

Another point in its favor, Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman as a sleazebag himself brings Burns into the big con and when he is on screen, he owns it. Playing King as a man with A.D.H.D. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder one wonders if perhaps the screenplay focuses on the wrong character. King is infinitely vile but at the same time, a thousand times more interesting than the rather bland performance by Burns.

As King puts it, "Sometimes style will get you killed." Sometimes it just makes your character a trifle dull. Burns plays Vig with such an unmoving face that you begin to wonder if only showing him some of his own movies would make smile or grimace.

Throw in a red-headed Rachel Weisz looking a lot less bookish than she did in The Mummy, character actors Luis Guzman, Donal Logue and Paul Giamatti you have four more reasons to watch Confidence. I can recommend better con flicks, I mentioned The Sting, but there’s The Grifters, House of Games and Snatch but Confidence is just as stable and worthy of such ground as titles like Ocean’s 11, Heist, and The Score.

Since Confidence is the only one you can catch on the big screen right now, make your choice, rent one of these older ones, or trek to the multi-plex for the night and at least enjoy the ride of Confidence. 3 stars out of 5.

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Copyright© Written By: Rob Paul
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