FILM-FORWARD.COMReviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
NINE QUEENS
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.
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