Nine Queens

Another impressive lob out of Argentina, this gleaming, tricksy thriller is pure accomplished entertainment with a sting in its tail worthy of The Usual Suspects - equal parts brilliant and ridiculous. Juan (Pauls) and Marcos (Darín) are a 'student and master' con-artist couple, paired for a day when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in their laps: the chance to flog a forged sheet of rare stamps (the Nine Queens) to a rich tycoon collector who's about to be deported. But can they trust each other or anyone else? First-time director Bielinsky snaps through this Mamet-like construct with justified confidence: the plot twists are sharp, the pacing sprightly (meaning fast subtitles at times), and the two leads completely convincing. And the ending, which suggests you can beat 'em if you join 'em, also contrives to redeem the rest of the film's amoral gusto. Crafty.