Rating: 
Summary: "Sometimes, Jake, style can get you killed...."
Review: Confidence, is a nifty entry in the grifters/caper flick that should please the many fans of that genre (I'm one, and I enjoyed it). Edward Burns has the lead in a terrific cast as Jake Vig, master Confidence man and the brains behind a veteran team of con-men who must pull off a difficult sting to extricate themselves from the wrath of a gangster played with sly nastiness by Dustin Hoffman, who has already had a member of Jake's team killed.Jake recruits the gorgeous Rachel Weisz to replace the murdered member of the team, and we get the planning and execution of the caper with, of course, snags, hitches,double & triple crosses. This one has its fair share of twists and turns and, of course, that is the fun in these types of films. Full of snappy, smart-ass dialogue and with superb actors, like Hoffman and Andy Garcia, doing a lot with what are actually small supporting roles, director Foley keeps it tight and fast at 97 minutes. In truth, my only complaint is that with such a great cast that includes: Paul Giamatti, Donal Logue, Luis Guzman, a completely wasted Robert Forster, plus, of course, Garcia, Weisz and Hoffman I only wished that the film was longer, had more plot and more for them all to do. Nevertheless, like a light and fast Mamet-style ensemble piece, this one entertained me all the way. Worth a look.
Rating: 
Summary: WELL-MADE MOVIE OF A STORY YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD/SEEN
Review: A good film with oodles of same old grifter-movie themes -- The Heist, The Score, Ocean's Eleven, The Prime Gig.. Dustin Hoffman and Andy Garcia have little more than extended cameos: Garcia never even changes clothes and Hoffman wears two shirts. A couple days' work, tops, for each, and it shows. A special mention for fine character actor Paul Giamatti (son of the late baseball commissioner) -- the best lines and best performance are his. Edward Burns looks more and more like Ben Affleck's twin brother every outing. The standout of this ensemble cast though is Rachel Weisz who not only makes this film but gives it a touch of fun and class that it really does not deserve. All the actors do their jobs but the predictability factor is stretch a little too far, and the con is really something we have all seen before. Recommended rental perhaps.
Rating:
Summary: Good con but not too great.
Review: It's a decent movie but the con is something that we have all seen before, and that is a very huge problem for a con movie to be out con by its predictability. Even so, Rachel Weisz and Dustin Hoffman keep things together with two great performances that make this film a real hoot, and Ed Burns does a good job for a change. Paul Giamatti is great as well, and the rest of the casts follow suit. Just do not expect to be wowed.
Rating: 
Summary: Formulaic Con Movie Worth a Rent Maybe
Review: I guess it all depends what you want to get out of it doesn't it? If you want to burn soem tiem watching a well-made con movie then this fits the bill. However if you need a little originality or spark then this will fall short. I found it enjoyable enough but it felt more like watching reruns of something you like than seeing soemthing new and amazing. It is so similar to other grift/con films that it is easy to get comfortable with it but also very hard to take it seriously.
Rating: 
Summary: Stunning
Review: This Movie is clearly one of the best movies of 2003. With a great cast of actors (Ed Burns, Andy Garcia, Rachel Weisz, and Dustin Hoffman) you can't help but be interested in this movie. Granted this isn't the first heist movie to come out, but it is clearly one of the best. From the start of the movie to the end you will be sitting on the "edge" of your seat waiting to see what happens. You might even find yourself cursing and warning the actors without even realizing they can't hear you. With a great opening line (So, im lying here dead) and one of the best endings around you can't help but smile when it all comes together nicely. This is one of those movies that you will be talking about days after you have seen it, and will instantly become a classic in anyone's collection. This is one movie that has to be seen to be believed. Without spoiling much or anything for that matter the plot may confuse, but when the end wraps it up you will understand everything. Rent it, buy it, just see the movie and you will agree that this is a great movie too.
Rating:
Summary: Slick 'Con' Thriller, But You May Say 'I Have Seen It'
Review: [In fact, my rating is 3.5 stars.] "Confidence" by Lions Gate studio (king of indie films) has one great thing--the cast. Edward Burns, Rachel Wiesz, Andy Garcia, Luis Guzman, Paul Giamatti, Brain Van Holt, Robert Forster, Morris Chestnut, and Dustin Hoffman. Even the major studios in Hollywood can gather these names easily. And the story? Sorry, as it's about "Con"fidence, so not much can be revealed, except that A) the con-men team (and one mysterious lady) led by Ed Burns have to do one last big heist while so many obstacles are in their way; B) and if you have seen old classic films of the sub-genre about grifters (yes, including "The Grifters" or "Sting"), you have already seen the story itself in "Confidence." Which means, you also have a chance to see two corrupt cops, and a strangely dressed FBI guy. The story is not important, probably. The characters are, it is certain, more interesting to see, and the standout is Dustin Hoffman's 'King' (or "THE King"), a mobster who runs a lap-club. And you should know the rule of the genre; he, being a mobster, has to have some quirky habits. Hoffman playfully does it with cleverly hidden menace, which is certainly amusing to see. There are some other well-acted characters, especially by Paul Giamatti (one of the most underrated talents), whose 'Gordo' is perfect example of small-time crook who speaks too much without thinking about what he is talking about. And my favorite Rachel Weisz shows up as a pickpocket (with American accent), who gracefully changes her outer look with ease. But not everything is perfect. As I said, newcomer Doug Jung's script looks like a copied (but well-copied) one from the past classics, and director James Foley does his job decently, but not with great originality. The plot unfolds smoothly and pleasantly, but nothing in it really surprises, or more to the point, makes you care the character(s). Edward Burns speaks too much (with too many voiceovers), and if you use Robert Forster in this way, like three minutes with no substantial role, it means you are willingly inviting the fans' bitter criticism. Not bad, not good (just like the same director's "The Corruptor") "Confidence" will entertain you for about 100 minutes. And nothing more. Actually, the best 'con' movie still remains "Sting" which you should have seen before this one.
Rating:
Summary: This Movie Rocks!
Review: Speaking as a lady who loves " heist " and " con man " films, this is now on the top of my list. I've passed this DVD up tons of times in stores but tonight I saw the film on Cinemax and instantly fell in love with it. It has all the elements needed for a good thief/con man movie: the handsome, cocky con man, the beautiful sidekick, corny criminals, funny crooked cops, and a talented veteran actor like Dustin Hoffman. Though Hoffman's part is more like a cameo, he makes his mark and sets the tone for the entire movie. I am not going to go into long details since other reviewers were kind enough to give more information. Just know that I fully recommend this movie! If you like films like Heat, City of Industry, The Heist, Safe Men and The Score, well Confidence is something you cannot pass up. I'm buying the DVD and you definitely should too.
Rating:
Summary: This Movie Rocks!
Review: Speaking as a lady who loves " heist " and " con man " films, this is now on the top of my list. I've passed this DVD up tons of times in stores but tonight I saw the film on Cinemax and instantly fell in love with it. It has all the elements needed for a good thief/con man movie: the handsome, cocky con man, the beautiful sidekick, corny criminals, funny crooked cops, and a talented veteran actor like Dustin Hoffman. Though Hoffman's part is more like a cameo, he makes his mark and sets the tone for the entire movie. I am not going to go into long details since other reviewers were kind enough to give more information. Just know that I fully recommend this movie! If you like films like Heat, City of Industry, The Heist, Safe Men and The Score, well Confidence is something you cannot pass up. I'm buying the DVD and you definitely should too.
Rating:
Summary: Too cleaver for its own good
Review: It has style all right but the film lacks substance, and a likeable leading man. Ed Burns can be those things if he had a good script to work with but he character comes a cross as very unlikable though out most of the movie, and his voice overs lacks the intelligence of a man who knows what he is doing. Its not Burns fault at all but he comes across more like a street kid who grew up than a man who has his finger on the pulse of the con that he is trying to pull. Paul Giamati is fine but does the same stick he always does, and Andy Garcia lacks the charisma to pull off his role well. The real acting of this movie comes from Rachel Weisz, who is better than the material that is giving to her, and she proves that in spades by the way she makes you watch her every move. She was much more believable con artist than the card board cut outs that Ed Burns and his men were, and she would have made a much better lead in this film as well if the director and the screenwriter wanted to make a better movie. The other actor who gave a great performance was Dustin Hoffman, who does go over the top in certain scenes with his performance but never the less was a menacing force to be reckoned with. The script is a problem with cliches at every corner, and the ending is so predicable that you would be a fool not to be able to predict it. My Hats off to Rachel Weisz and Dustin Hoffman for giving great performances but the movie as a whole is not worth your time. The 3 stars is for them.
Rating: 
Summary: Lurch
Review: I am ashamed of Dustin Hoffman for participating in this trash. Apparently the director thinks this tired formulae is interesting if it uses the "F" word often enough. After all these years "The Sting" is still the best of the "Con" genre.
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