Criminal
Warner Independent Pictures (WIP) | Release Date: September 10, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews
Positive:
20
Mixed:
15
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
VarietyKen Eisner
More a tribute than a remake, Steven Soderbergh-approved take on Argentine hit "Nine Queens" isn't quite as sharp or surprising as the original, one of the best scam pics of the past decade. Read full review
80
L.A. Weekly
The cast is brilliant, not least of all Reilly -- vaguely despicable, smooth as an oil slick and altogether mesmerizing in the most impressive screen performance he's yet given. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano
Captures Los Angeles in a straightforward, naturalistic way, neighborhood-hopping like a native. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
A respectable caper movie in the tradition of "The Sting" and David Mamet's "Heist." Read full review
75
New York PostLou Lumenick
Jacobs keeps the action moving rapidly and gets solid performances from an ensemble cast, especially the rumpled Reilly. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
The movie is fast and fun. Best of all are the actors, who likewise seem to know they've lucked into a rare good gig. Read full review
75
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
The performances of Luna and, especially, Reilly, make the film more enthralling than it perhaps deserves to be. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
Just as exciting and socially vivid as Bielinsky's. Yet, somehow it's more stressful. The American characters practically sweat desperation. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
Apart from Luna's exquisitely subtle performance, Criminal's strongest suit is the so-artless-it's-artful cinematography by Chris Menges, which gives the impression of being shot by a fly on the wall. Similarly, Alex Wurman's jazz-infused score contributes to the improvisational atmosphere. Read full review
70
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Even with its tepid lead performance, Criminal is a clever and diverting caper film. At least, it is as long as you don't think too hard about it. Read full review
70
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Reilly and Luna make a chemically appealing screen team. Reilly, one of the best working actors in the indie side of things, is wonderfully world-weary, manipulative and roguishly charming. Read full review
70
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
The main reason to see Criminal isn't for the mental workout it might offer but simply to watch these two appealing performers act and act and act. Read full review
70
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
Taut and straightforward and a little grungy, which is how these movies ought to be. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
The performances are winning -- Gyllenhaal is particularly sharp as an aggrieved sibling, and there's mutual zing in her scenes with Reilly. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Movies about cons, if well done, are hard to resist – and such is the case with Criminal. Read full review
67
Portland OregonianKaren Karbo
The resulting film, while derivative, is worth the price of admission. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Since you have probably not seen "Nine Queens," Criminal will be new to you, and I predict you'll like the remake about as much as I liked the original -- three stars' worth. If, however, you've seen "Nine Queens," you may agree that some journeys, however entertaining, need only be taken once. Read full review
63
PremiereAaron Hillis
Subtly gaining momentum as it dexterously glides through pages of good-time, snappy dialogue, Criminal offers no time to catch your breath, let alone enough to think through its reality-stretching story flaws and subtext-lacking motives. Read full review
63
USA TodayMike Clark
The casting falters on every level compared with Queens. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Jacobs is a competent director but he doesn't bring anything extra to this shell game of a narrative. Read full review
60
Village VoiceMark Holcomb
He (Jacobs) and cinematographer Chris Menges compose the film largely in close-ups, and the effect is appropriately unnerving. Regardless, unfavorable comparisons to "Nine Queens" are inevitable. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
Although Criminal retains its source material's cleverness and intricate plotting, something seems to have been lost in the translation. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
The filmmakers have lovingly retained and expanded on that film's only flaws, some implausible plot details. But even without the same cultural significance, it's still a good story, and the interesting cast. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
The remake is infinitely more entertaining if you haven't seen "Nine Queens" -- the details are different, but the surprises are the same and something of the first film's underlying darkness has been lost in translation. Read full review
60
EmpireAdam Smith
Apart from an irritating plot glitch this is a solidly entertaining ride, more than competently directed and played. Read full review
58
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
The film is inherently calculated and cold, so smugly satisfied with itself and its surprise final trick that it seems to be running its own con to convince us the script's house of cards is actually substantial, original and slick. Read full review
50
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Here's the problem: The movie was made just four years ago by Argentinian director Fabian Bielinsky. It is called "Nine Queens," and it is vastly superior to this blah U.S. remake from director Gregory Jacobs. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Without any glimmers of depth or subtext. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneSid Smith
Criminal is an exercise where viewers are likely to ponder not "How did the characters do it?" but "Who cares?" Read full review
50
Dallas ObserverBill Gallo
This plodding mediocrity displays none of the flair or the compelling trickery that enlivened its 2002 prototype. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Effective at times, and Gyllenhaal shows a new side of her talent, but the main impression is of first-rate performers doing second-rate work. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
The problems lie not with the actors but with a glib approach that exposes the flaws of the original story. Read full review
50
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
In the end, coincidence undoes Criminal. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Criminal is happy to reprise Fabian Bielinsky's original note for note, and it's a listless, dutiful affair -- a cover version played out of obligation, not inspiration. Read full review
50
Film ThreatChristopher Zinsli
Can be fun. Just don’t think about it too hard. Read full review
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