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That's one of the many lessons that veteran con-man Marcos (Ricardo Darín) tries to instill in the young Juan (Gastón Pauls) in this Argentinean film. Even if you can't see them, con artists are everywhere; so you better watch out cause when you least expect it, you might be the one being had.
Nine Queens follows the unlikely partnership between Marcos and Juan, as they set out to sell a set of counterfeit stamps. But as usual, things not always work the way you expect, as they constantly stumble upon "spitters, breakers, skin workers, blind fronts, hoisters, hooks, stalls, petermans, night raiders, mustard chuckers, fences, operators, swindlers", all of which are trying to get the best of them as well.
Even though it is not an American film, Nine Queens feels a lot like what you would expect from a 2000 American film would feel. The film has a clever, witty script, full of twists and turns, with a bit of a rushed up pace, which serves the film well. Darín and Pauls are both great in their roles to the point that you don't know whether to root for them or dislike them. Leticia Brédice also has a nice turn as Marcos' sister, who ends up reluctantly involved in his brother's "business".
This film was very well received, so I had been hearing about it since its release. However, for some reason I had never taken the chance, but I'm very pleased I finally did. The film is well structured, well paced, and well acted. As for the twists, even if you can't see them, they're there, and they're bound to get you one way or the other.
Grade:
NINE QUEENS
(2000, Bielinsky)
A film from Argentina
(2000, Bielinsky)
A film from Argentina
"They are there, but you can't see them. That's what it's all about. They're there, but they aren't. So mind your briefcase, your case, your door... your window, your car, your savings. Mind your ass, because they're there and they'll always be."
That's one of the many lessons that veteran con-man Marcos (Ricardo Darín) tries to instill in the young Juan (Gastón Pauls) in this Argentinean film. Even if you can't see them, con artists are everywhere; so you better watch out cause when you least expect it, you might be the one being had.
Nine Queens follows the unlikely partnership between Marcos and Juan, as they set out to sell a set of counterfeit stamps. But as usual, things not always work the way you expect, as they constantly stumble upon "spitters, breakers, skin workers, blind fronts, hoisters, hooks, stalls, petermans, night raiders, mustard chuckers, fences, operators, swindlers", all of which are trying to get the best of them as well.
Even though it is not an American film, Nine Queens feels a lot like what you would expect from a 2000 American film would feel. The film has a clever, witty script, full of twists and turns, with a bit of a rushed up pace, which serves the film well. Darín and Pauls are both great in their roles to the point that you don't know whether to root for them or dislike them. Leticia Brédice also has a nice turn as Marcos' sister, who ends up reluctantly involved in his brother's "business".
This film was very well received, so I had been hearing about it since its release. However, for some reason I had never taken the chance, but I'm very pleased I finally did. The film is well structured, well paced, and well acted. As for the twists, even if you can't see them, they're there, and they're bound to get you one way or the other.
Grade: