Stranger Things – Season 1, Episode 4
Release Date: August 31, 2000 (Argentina)
Genre: Crime, Heist, Thriller
Directed by: Fabián Bielinsky
In the smart and brilliantly crafted Argentine heist-thriller Nine Queens (2000), director Fabián Bielinsky takes audiences on a suspenseful and unpredictable ride through the world of con artists. The film stars Gastón Pauls and Ricardo Darín in career-defining roles as two con men who team up for what they believe is the scam of a lifetime. With its clever twists, sharp dialogue, and a masterful sense of suspense, the film is a modern classic of the genre. It's a story that constantly keeps you guessing, proving that in the world of cons, nothing is ever as it seems.
The story is set in Buenos Aires and follows Marcos (Ricardo Darín), a cynical and experienced con artist, and Juan (Gastón Pauls), a young and inexperienced small-time grifter. After Juan is nearly caught trying to scam a cashier, Marcos steps in and helps him escape, in exchange for a share of his future earnings. The two form an unlikely partnership, and during the course of a day, they stumble upon a major, high-stakes opportunity: a wealthy Spanish businessman, a collector of stamps, wants to buy a fake sheet of the legendary and priceless "Nine Queens" stamps.
Marcos and Juan have less than 24 hours to pull off the elaborate con, which involves finding the fake stamps, dealing with Marcos's sister and former partner, Valeria, and navigating the treacherous world of high-stakes crime. The film’s narrative is a tense and thrilling race against time, as the two men attempt to outwit everyone, including each other. The plot is filled with a series of twists and turns that constantly subvert the audience's expectations, leading to a shocking and memorable climax that redefines everything you thought you knew.
The film features a powerful and memorable cast:
The film was directed and written by Fabián Bielinsky, marking his feature film debut. The film's low budget of just over $1.5 million was well-spent, with the film's success being attributed to its clever and intelligent script, which relied on sharp dialogue and plot twists rather than on elaborate action sequences. The film was shot on location in Buenos Aires, capturing the city's vibrant and fast-paced energy. The brilliant chemistry between Ricardo Darín and Gastón Pauls was a major factor in the film's success, with their performances being widely praised by both critics and audiences.
If you're a fan of clever heist films and enjoy being surprised, Nine Queens is an absolute masterpiece that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Nine Queens was a major critical and commercial success in Argentina and internationally, grossing over $11 million worldwide. The film was nominated for and won numerous awards, including seven Argentine Film Critics Association Awards. Its lasting legacy is its place as a modern classic of the heist genre, and it is widely considered to be one of the greatest Argentine films of all time. The film's influence is such that it was remade in Hollywood as the 2004 film Criminal, starring John C. Reilly and Diego Luna.
Nine Queens received "Generally Favorable" reviews from critics:
IMDb: ⭐ 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 🍅 92% (based on 97 critic reviews)
Metascore: 🟢 80/100 (Generally Favorable, based on 30 critic reviews)
Critics almost universally praised the film for its "razor-sharp script," "masterful direction," and "pitch-perfect performances". The film's clever twists and its ability to keep the audience off balance were often highlighted as its greatest strengths, with many reviewers calling it a "cinematic delight" and a "perfect con movie".
Nine Queens (2000) is a thrilling and intelligent film that proves that you don't need a big budget to create a masterpiece. Fabián Bielinsky's masterful direction and a phenomenal cast deliver a movie that is as entertaining as it is smart. It’s a film that will make you question everything you see, and its final twist is one of the most memorable in cinematic history. This is a must-watch for anyone who loves a great con movie and a story that is genuinely clever.
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