Critic Reviews
66
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
22(67%)
mixed
9(27%)
negative
2(6%)
Showing 33 Critic Reviews
90
Mamet loves two things: scams and dialogue. This movie is rich with both.
90
The thinking person's caper flick, with its endlessly clever plotting revealing character under the utmost pressure.
90
Heist is a pleasure to watch, and the greatest pleasure is to watch Mr. Lindo and Mr. Hackman steal it.
90
Mamet doesn't just give us an enthralling heist flick, he makes the language something to savor. You're biting your nails with your ears peeled.
90
Mamet -- crafts tangy, well-seasoned dialogue that a good cast can feast on. And this cast is prime.
88
The kind of caper movie that was made before special effects replaced wit, construction and intelligence. This movie is made out of fresh ingredients, not cake mix. Despite the twists of its plot, it is about its characters.
88
Mamet takes exactly those qualities that we most prize in genre movies -- characters, cleverness and high style -- and refines them to a high shine.
80
With an actor as great as Gene Hackman in the lead, a lot of scenes even breathe.
80
An exciting caper, though sometimes a trying one, with great dollops of self-parodying dialogue that will test your loyalty to Mr. Mamet's way with words.
78
It's 99 and 44/100% pure Mamet all the way.
