MovieChat Forums > The Grifters (1991) Discussion > One illogical problem with this film

One illogical problem with this film

posted 17 years ago by pogostiks
17 replies | jump to latest

This film is truly enjoyable for many reasons. First, because Angelica Huston is brilliant...second because Pat Hingle creally gives it a creepy weight... and finally because it keeps you guessing and the final few minutes are trylu shocking.
HOWEVER...SPOILER!- there is only one thing that truly doesn't work in theis film... and it is important enough to destroy many other parts which flow from the error.
I am alluding to the fact that any broad as cool and professional as LIly would never open her trunk and count out cash from a hidden box in the middle of a parking lot where everyone (and especially Myra) can see her. It makes no sense at all. All she needs is for one punk to see her doing that, he waits til she leaves and he steals teh car... and he's got her entire fortune. no, any real professional would have counted out the oney in her room before going to the track - away from prying eyes.
So this is the one weakness of thei film. If LIly hadn't done something so ridiculous and unbelieveable, then Myra couldn't have ratted on her - she would not have had to flee in extremis... and all the end of the film would have been unnecessary.

Oh well, it was still fun - and boy does Huston have class!

[–] rickmeister95 17 years ago

You are absolutely right.
Unfortunately, this scene is one of those necessary evils, required to further the film plot.
Maybe if the film had found a different way for Moira to know about the money.

In the book; we learn that Moira had gone to the races to check-up on Lilly and then, suspicious, she calls her connection in Baltimore. There's no money "sighting".
But in the film, we had to see Moira have cause to be suspicious. Hence the parking lot.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Boyo-2 17 years ago

I love this movie very much in spite of scenes like you mentioned. I have a problem believing LOTS of things in this movie. Maybe we're just supposed to write them off as not real.

[–] lgforce 17 years ago

The OP makes a good point.
I thought the same.

[–] kag2-1 16 years ago

Yes, I thought the same. Maybe they could have filmed her counting money for betting in her hotel room, or in a locked bathroom stall at the track.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] netshopper-2 14 years ago

The worst scene was the one with Lilly hitting Roy with the briefcase. Complete Hollywood phoniness.

1. The bills were all bundled. They would have stayed bundled if they spilled out
2. Briefcases are designed to stay closed. Swinging it at the side of someone's head (by a tiny female) would not have caused it to open
3. The angle of the drinking glass being hit by the swinging case would not have caused the massive damage to Roy's carotid and subsequent bleed out.

[–] AsaNisiMasa_63 14 years ago

>2. Briefcases are designed to stay closed.

The angle was just right for it to open like that.

>Swinging it at the side of someone's head (by a tiny female) would not have caused it to open

Anjelica Huston is NOT a tiny female - 5'11? - and with the proper amount of force, a

>3. The angle of the drinking glass being hit by the swinging case would not have caused the massive damage to Roy's carotid and subsequent bleed out.

Depending on the frigility of the glass, the force applied, spot hit, and the angle of both briefcase/glass, freakier things have happened - I could get confusing - but it happened. I don't think it is completely impractical.

[–] Moon_and_New_York_City 14 years ago

Well it's not like she was entirely out in the open; and the whole transaction lasted but a few seconds. Even so it was a plot device albeit not so "illogical" to ruin the whole film!

"the best that you can do is fall in love"

[–] EyeDodge 13 years ago

I know I really found that weird when she opened the trunk like that.