Nine Queens

Heist films are nearly always a blast to watch for one reason: trying to figure out who's conning whom. In my experience, it's important early on in any heist flick to pick the least likely person who will walk away with all the money, if only to enjoy seeing how they're going to weave the story around that person believably. This film creates some good scenarios using tried- and-true formulas, but unfortunately, you know absolutely who the winner will be when you're about 2/3 of the way through. They use a far too obvious plot twist, and your attention immediately shifts to that least likely person again. Still, it's fun to watch if only because it has a clever script (I loved the recurring "I'm not a crook" line) and some fantastic acting. But I gotta ask: how come no one ever offers them a drink anywhere they visit? Their hosts are partaking, and not once are they asked if they'd like to also. Kinda stood out.

original title: Neuve Reinas
year: 2000
length: 114 min.
rating: 3.0
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247586/combined