Criminal (2004)

In the sun-drenched city of Los Angeles, the paths of two small-time swindlers, Richard Gaddis and an unassuming Mexican immigrant, Rodrigo, perilously cross. Richard, a cynical con artist with a knack for exploiting trust, is in search of a new partner to replace his former accomplice, "the Jew," who he hopes can help him ascend the ranks of bigger cons. Rodrigo, on the other hand, is a likable grifter who operates quietly in the shadows, driven by a pressing need to amass funds to settle his ailing father's enormous debts. Their differences in strategy and intent are stark, but a mutually beneficial alliance is formed. Richard, seeing an advantage in Rodrigo's innocent facade, renames him "Brian" to lend a more trustworthy, Caucasian veneer. Rodrigo perceives Richard's offer as a speedier route to his financial targets. Despite their deep-seated distrust for one another, they decide to embark on a series of small cons to gauge the other's tactics, strengths, and vulnerabilities. An unexpected opportunity presents itself when Richard is contacted by a sickly former associate desperate to offload a counterfeit currency note. A wealthy businessman, his visa due to expire imminently, sees a chance to make a swift profit by purchasing what he believes to be a stolen document. This complex scam, promising a six-figure return, requires them to weave a web of lies and improvisations ever more intricate, especially when Richard's younger siblings - Valerie, a concierge, and Michael, a bellboy - become entangled in the plot, as they work at the upscale hotel where much of the con is set to unfold. As the stakes rise, the question looms: Is one of them planning a grander scheme behind the other's back? Or perhaps both of them are? 'Criminal' is a tale of deception, trust, and the lengths people will go to secure their futures - a gripping journey into the world of cons and the minds of those who orchestrate them.

Criminal is an action movie featuring John C. Reilly.

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