The problem with Confidence begins with Edward Burns' delivery. Okay, he's cool, like Chili Palmer in Get Shorty. Okay, as Dustin Hoffman's character says, he's a pretty boy. But the film opens with Burns on his knees, as an angry black man holds a pistol to his head and encourages him to tell his story--how weak a conceit is this? And Burns procedes to do so in such a cool--one might even say disinterested--way that we can't ever believe his life is really in danger. The whole business is revealed immediately by Burns' lack of emotion as a con, and all that remains to be hashed out are the details. Admittedly, there is some fun in those very details--in particular Dustin Hoffman is absolutely terrific in his role, and he's got one of the funniest lines ever about the performance of two sisters in his nightclub--I won't give it away. The movie is worth seeing for his part alone, and it's more than the cameo other reviewers claim. But it seems to me that the director expected to keep our interest through the twists of the plot; but anyone who's seen The Sting, Paper Moon, The Confidence Man, or Matchstick Men isn't going to be much surprised. Furthermore, I don't buy the con working the way it was portrayed; walking into a bank and trying to cash a check for five million dollars on the spot would pretty much blow a hole in the entire thing. Either less emphasis on the plot or more--which might end up losing most of the audience--would make a better movie; and more of Dustin Hoffman certainly would have improved it. As it is, enjoy Confidence, but you probably won't be taken in by it.

Confidence is a fine example of the relative abundance of acting talent in movies today, compared with the relative dearth of really good writing. Here we find Dustin Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Andy Garcia, Luis Guzman, and others gamely carrying a decent, but flawed script. The overall feel is somewhere between Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead, and an American version of Snatch, with aspects of House of Games, and a character-type borrowed from Bullets Over Broadway.

Edward Burns plays Jake Vig, the leader of a small crew of con men. The have just discovered that their latest victim was, unknown to them, the cheating accountant for a feared local gangster known as The King (Dustin Hoffman). To make restitution, Jake agrees to swindle one of The King's rivals. The bulk of the film details the planning, preparation and execution of the sting, along with the usual and appropriate questions about whom, if anyone, Jake can trust.

There are some very entertaining moments in Confidence. Among these are a great bit by Hoffman about his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and a terrific short con in a jewelry store. And, unlike so many films, this one improves considerably toward the end. Its third act is far stronger than what comes before, which is refreshing.

Nevertheless, Confidence is weighed down by too many problems to be really enjoyable, among them: a clumsy and tired everything-in-flashback structure; a complete lack of chemistry between Burns and Rachel Weisz; a cartoonish Andy Garcia character, and an amazingly lame lunch meeting to pitch a business proposal.

Confidence is worth a look if you're a real fan of this genre or of these actors, but you can do better on both counts elsewhere.

Yes this movie moves without losing pace, but at what cost? Do we really care to sit in front of a movie so utterly devoid of character that it would make even a hardened criminal flinch?

I certainly do not.

Edward Burns really lost it in this movie. I lost the whole jist of the con as the movie progressed and in return recieved the feeling that not even Burns knew what he was shooting for.
Admittedly there was a few good scenes, and the plot wasn't bad, it just wasn't portrayed well at all. Andy Garcia's role the worst of all. Why was he even there at all. Who or what was he trying to fool? Besides, his role was too second rate and he deserves better.

Dustin Hoffman was also a disappointment, as a sex-crazed addict who thought of absolutely nothing but his dancers. He's much better than that, just watch Finding Neverland or Hook.

No, this movie was completely a waste of my time and braincells. Not in the sense that this film had meaning and needed to be thought over, but as a race to come out ahead of the tangled mess that was there. Don't have your expectations too high, the sad lowering of them is just to much of a heartache to bear.

it's still an completely enjoyable film, with great dialogue, good acting (Hoffman and Garcia, even thought their roles are small, are tremendous, and the others are more than a notch or two above average, too), and while some of it may be predictable to caper-movie addicts, there are also a few neat little twists on the obvious. Definitely worth seeing. YOu may even find yourself wishing it were a little longer.
PS: And a BIG thanks to the reviewer who also pointed out that some people simply cannot comprehend what what "review" means and just give the whole film away. At least I'm not the only one who feels that way!!

First off, a big thumbs down to the fellow reviewer who gives away the end of the movie---that's really mean. Anyway, CONFIDENCE is a slick and disarmingly charming con movie, buoyed by a cast of very talented performers. Edward Burns, he of the limited emotional range, nevertheless brings a cool self-confidence in his role as Jake, the narrator of the story; Rachel Weisz gets better with every movie and does a good job in her role as Lily, the pickpocket; Dustin Hoffman is incredible in a change of pace role as a sleazy, comic yet threatening crime boss; Andy Garcia wanders through his small role with his typical panache; Paul Giamatti (overlooked for this year's Sideways) adds a lot of colorful support, as do Brian van Holt and Franky G as fellow conspirators; Franky is effectively smarmy as the musclebound henchman of Hoffman's. Rounding out the cast are Donal Logue, Luis Guzman, Robert Forster, Morris Chestnut and Leland Orser. Director James Foley keeps the camera work sharp and quick, Stewart Copeland's score is great, and the ending fooled me, and should fool you too IF you don't read our fellow reviewer's spoiler.
A surprisingly enjoyable movie.