By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2.5 cats
Director: Fabián Bielinsky
Starring: Gastón Pauls | Leticia Brédice | Ricardo Darín | Tomás Fonzi
Original language title: Nueve Reinas
Country: argentina
Year: 2002
Running time: 114
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0265349
Laura says: “NINE QUEENS characters are engaging and occasionally amusing, but director Bielinsky never rises above simply putting them through their paces. He doesn’t achieve the liftoff the film needs to sparkle, instead letting a leaden monotony set in. The film is goosed up with the introduction of Sandler’s wealthy sister-in-law, who lives in a garish apartment with a younger boy toy, but this lively and amusing character makes too hasty an exit. The multi-layered con’s final moves become labored by an unconvincing promise between Valeria and Marcos involving their younger brother’s faith in his unsavory sibling.” 2 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/ninequeens.htm”
Robin says: “NINE QUEENS is a neatly handled who’s-doing-whom story that holds strong ties to such grifter films as THE
STING and David Mamet’s HOUSE OF GAMES. But, this Argentine crime thriller is long on dialogue and short on action. Things begin slowly and steadily as Juan pulls a bill changing scam at a local convenience store. He gets greedy as he watches the shift
change and decides to double dip and pull the same scam again, minutes later. He is caught at his ploy and, suddenly, a plainclothes cop is hustling him out of the store, arrested for his crime.” 3 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/ninequeens.htm”