backtraxmusic
Please don't soil the name of film noir by calling this movie one. The dialogue is cringeworthy throughout. The formula is to get a group of B-movie actors to do most of the work while throwing some marquee names (Norton & Hoffman) to make a few brief appearances. It plays out like a comedy waiting for a punchline. Save your time, read a book or watch a REAL film noir.
amesmonde
A seasoned con-artist's most recent trick goes wrong when his team steal money from the mob, they then go about arranging another hustle to get the money back.Director James Foley's Confidence pretty much set the formula for the UK TV series Hustle (2004) that appeared a year later and the more recent Leverage (2008). It's flashy and slick and with stylised lighting, camera work and editing.Rachel Weisz is debatably miscast, nevertheless Edward Burns is excellent in the lead role and rest of the cast are adequate. Both Andy Garcia and Dustin Hoffman are underused but what is there is, is first class. The flashbacks and narration from Burns guides you though the film, written by Doug Jung, the script is witty although there's a little too much exposition and the tone feels inconsistent at times.If you've already seen the aforementioned TV series the twist will come as no surprise but if you want to see the seed of these shows and what a gritty film version would be like - look no further.
zaenkney
'Confidence' is an 'Oceans 11-type' Heist movie with its own unique personality. While he sticks to the genre formula, Director, James Foley, moves this film along at a steady, active pace and throws in enough twists and turns to keep us involved.Ironically, the master mind is a guy named Jake Vig (Ed Burns). Ironic because Mr. Vig (his last name meaning 'the take' or 'the amount charged by the bookie for services rendered') is a 'charming, virile fellow' (slang definition for 'jake') who wishes to accomplish his gigs with minimal actual violence. Unfortunately, the heist goes sideways when he and his crew find they have jacked a morally bankrupt criminal called 'King', who is not partial to letting things slide. In fact, with an act of very harsh measure, King makes it acutely clear what it is he requires to resolve the matter. Of course Jake refuses and the negotiations begin. This is where the twists and turns commence and the plot gets interesting.The caliber of talent in 'Confidence' is amazing. The crew, Brian Van Holt (Cougar Town), Paul Giamatti (Oscar nom.), Rachel Weisz (Oscar winner) and Ed Burns, come off as a tightly knit, intelligent bunch that are as close and trusting as family should be. Two cops on the take (Donal Logue and Luis Guzman) are hilarious hired help who hope to come out ahead. Of course, King (Dustin Hoffman, Oscar winner) enjoys his entourage of hired goons. Tiny Lister (as Harlan) intimidates politely, yet inimitably, as usual. A young, handsome Latino, Frankie G, displays his chameleon-like acting chops as Lupus, Harlan's understudy.There is a fair amount of subtle symbolism, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I've been told I have to be hit up long-side the head with it (symbolism) to see it. For example, the name Lupus seems apropos for this particular bodyguard's character, in terms of the word's medical implications. It would be a fun subject for discussion.The movie, 'Confidence', ends up being a Heist/Revenge movie with some great twists and a surprise ending. I'm not a great fan of Heist films, but I definitely enjoyed my 97 minutes. It was well paced, well acted, and well … I liked it.
mannin11
Add irritating to the summary. Con movies are great when they have unexpected twists and turns and the marks who are being conned are not so dopey that you roll your eyes with exasperation. While there are many twists and turns to this story, most of them you can spot a mile away and it's impossible to fathom how anyone with the least intelligence would fall for them. Writer Doug Jung uses the f-word throughout as though audiences could really give an eff. (Just get on with the story, buddy!) Most of the characterization is so over-written as to be irritating beyond belief. Dustin Hoffman as a sleazy crime-boss gives a performance that out-rivals Bette Davis in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane for sheer hokiness and high camp. A good cast wasted in a script that is so overwritten you want to take a pair of pruning shears and chop it down to a realistic and manageable level. While Doug Jung has indeed gone on to finer things this is a flailing mess of a script that needed a firm hand to shape it into an impressive whole. (Isn't Ed Burns known for his writing ability? One has to assume he wasn't allowed to tamper with this.) Confidence is a one-time watch that requires a LOT of patience. A shame because the idea and talent is there but the execution is lacking.
