
In this sleek thriller set in modern-day New York, cons get more intricate. Although Julianne Moore has the lead role, we don’t meet her character until the second act, when Tom (Justice Smith) meets Sandra (Briana Middleton) in his bookstore.
They quickly fall completely in love. A rare appearance from one of Tom’s buddies reminds us that she’s his dream woman, like a ‘hot librarian’. Our suspicions are heightened.
After one fraud, the film reverses time and introduces us to different other people in episodic parts. These include the flamboyant, slightly sinister Max (Sebastian Stan), who hangs around in seedy bars trying to pay off parole officials, and Madeline (Moore), who is dating the rich Richard (John Lithgow).
All of their lives will be intertwined in opulent Manhattan penthouses where nothing is as it appears. Is that correct? We are kept a step ahead of certain characters, but not others.
It’s a complex thriller that harkens back to Nikita and Pygmalion, yet with only a few humorous moments, it’s less engaging than Ocean’s 11.
The music, which includes Nina Simone and The Supremes, helps to raise the atmosphere (it appears that each individual has their own theme), but the overall tone is gloomy and sad.
There’s a touch of tawdry eroticism, but the love scenes abruptly end as you hear the belt buckle unclicked.
Moore is fantastic; other performances vary probably a little more than they should – it’s a touch confusing trying to figure out if they’re unconvincing because they’re performing a scam, or simply not acting very well. It’s all a bit absurd, and as it progresses, it tests the limits of credibility and patience.
But if you like con movies, it’s a good time pass with a few WTF moments to talk about afterwards.
In cinemas from Friday and on Apple TV Feb 17