NINE QUEENS
Directed by: Fabián Bielinsky.
Produced by: Cecilia Bossi & Pablo Bossi.
Written by: Bielinsky.
Director of Photography: Marcelo Camorino.
Edited by: Sergio Zottola.
Music by: César Lerner.
Released by: Columbia/TriStar.
Country of Origin: Argentina. 114 min. Rated: R.
With: Gastón Pauls, Ricardo Darín & Leticia Brédice.
DVD Features: Scene Selection. English & French subtitles. Widescreen. Trailers.

A cocky small-time grifter Marcos (Darín) takes the laid-back Juan (Pauls) under his wing as his potential protégé, squabbling like brothers over who's smarter, more righteous, and quick-footed. A phone call from Marcos’ estranged sister (Brédice) propels them into an elaborate, if improbable, scheme to sell forgeries of nine rare stamps, the nine queens, to a wealthy businessman on the lam. Not only do Marco and Juan discover that everyone is on the make, but they must decide how much to trust each other. Reminiscent of David Mamet’s The Spanish Prisoner, this expertly plotted and acted diversion is especially suited for DVDs where the rapid-fire exchanges and the convoluted scam can be easily played back. After the twists and turns are finally revealed, nothing appears for what it seems. Even if viewers guess who's really being conned, it's how the con is being played that's important. The entire cast acts with subtlety, especially Pauls as the hangdog Juan. After the final revelation, this ensemble proves that actors can never know more than their characters. KT
May 5, 2003