For those who look for less cliche comedy, this movie is a good option. It has everything to offer; good casts, fantasy, humour, tragedy and some Jakarta smugglers wearing long coat cornering the con men. Can’t get more hilarious than that haha…
This is the story about con artists who swindle money from the rich people through con stories. Stephen and Bloom begin their con men profession since they were teenagers when they moved from one foster house to another. Stephen is the mastermind, while Bloom is the younger brother who’s introvert personality perfects the con stories. Twenty five years later, Bloom decides to quit after one last con. Being the mastermind, Stephen knows for sure what Bloom is actually looking for. Stephen sets up a perfect con for his brother which include a wealthy heiress with dramatic personality so exciting that Bloom can never refuse.
I particularly like the vulnerable character of Bloom (Adrien Brody) and the multi-talented and electrifying Penelope (Rachel Weisz). The other pair, Ruffalo and Kikuchi, were also good, but the first couple steal the scenes most of the times. Occasionally, Kikuchi’s character is too comical and annoying. I guess that’s part of the humour. Story-wise, the movie is very exciting and enjoyable, although the ending lacks the promising charm it offers since the beginning. I still don’t understand the scene inside the old theater when Stephen sat alone and dying just to perfect the con story with reality. I mean, what’s the point? Can he just continue his life while his brother chooses a different path? Maybe that’s the cliche we’re all avoiding hahaha…
My rating: 4/6
