Discussing the Most Fraudulent Films #monday #meme

Art imitates life during this week’s Monday Movie Meme, as the controversy surrounding Russia’s “president-elect” really got Dale’s attention at Smurfin the Web. So, the topic for this week’s meme is “It’s A Fix.” Dale asks, what are some movies you’ve seen where fraud or some form of deceptive shenanigans are central to the plot? Here are my selections for movies that feature an element of fraud in the storyline.

First and foremost, “Contraband” fits the bill for this week’s meme, no pun intended. I saw it in a movie theater when it came out earlier this year and must give Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale and the rest of the cart their due for some good performances. Wahlberg plays a reformed smuggler who is now working in the security alarm business -- until his younger, senseless brother-in-law gets into trouble with a notorious mob boss, for throwing away drugs.

The mob guy wants the brother-in-law to pay him back based on the street value of the drugs but the kid doesn’t have the money. So, Wahlberg’s character boards a cargo ship to smuggle counterfeit money for the purpose of paying off this debt and saving his entire family from harm.

Leonardo DiCaprio did a nice job with his portrayal of Frank Abagnale Jr. in “Catch Me If You Can.” A guy has to be pretty swift and clever to not only steal tons of money via check forgery but also land a job to help him pull off such a con.

It’s hard enough for people to legitimately obtain employment these days, and this dude is flying around the like the world is his oyster. If it’s that easy, then maybe this is the key to gaining employment -- just pose as the person you want to be and eventually, you’ll become him. Hmm, maybe I should have tried this several years ago, when I was trying to get a job at Blockbuster stores.

If “Face Off” starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage doesn’t represent deception, I don’t know what does. When a secret FBI mission goes wrong, one cop fights to restore his life and revamp his investigation to bring down a career criminal. There’s only one problem -- the cop underwent surgery to look exactly like the guy that he is trying to prosecute -- and the guy who he wants to prosecute got the same surgery done (albeit, by force, but that doesn’t really matter when shit hits the fan, now does it?), to look like him.

Talk about identity theft! -- and YOU think it sucks that somebody stole your wallet or credit card or whatever -- not a big deal now, compared to the characters in this movie, huh? I mean, yeah, you can always get a new wallet or credit card in like a few days or something.

What movies come to YOUR mind concerning fraud?

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Comments

[HermanTurnip]

Freejack (1992): Emilio Estevez pretends to be McCandless to survive
The Thing (1982): Alien imitates others...and kills!
Revolver (2005): Convict Jason Statham is conned
Heist (2001): Who has the gold? (if you haven't seen this, get it!)
The Lookout (2007): Keeping one step ahead of the thieves

And again, if you haven't seen Heist, do yourself a solid and pick it up. Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Sam Rockwell. What's not to love here? This is the definition of a fun movie. Can't wait for it to appear on blu-ray.

[Arlee Bird]

One that I thought was very clever was The Spanish Prisoner--lots of deceptions and twists and turns.

[Nicole]

Herman,

Hmm...why does Heist sound so familiar? Heist may be in my rental queue, especially if you've mentioned it before. If not, I'll be sure to look it up the next time I'm on Netflix or Blockbuster. Gene Hackman is a solid actor, I know. Samp Rockwell? Is that the guy from Gangs of New York? I'm trying to picture him in my head but am not sure if it's ringing the bell.

Aside from Revolver, I never heard of those other films, so I'll be looking into them but keeping The Thing last on my list. Alien movies creep me out sometimes, lol.

Arlee,

So long as the deceptions and twists are good and able to follow without getting confused like "Shutter Island," I'd be down to watch "The Spanish Prisoner."

Thanks you guys for participating in this meme!