MovieChat Forums > The Grifters (1991) Discussion > Annette Bening and the diamond scene

Annette Bening and the diamond scene

posted 12 years ago by billyfsu20
4 replies | jump to latest

I haven't seen this film in a while but wanted to get opinions on what I remember as a really well-written scene. Annette Bening is attempt to unload some fake jewels (I think diamonds) to a character played by Stephen Tobolowsky. Once she realizes he's not falling for it, she undresses in the store and asks the jeweler something along the lines of if he sees anything else he likes. I thought it was a great response by the character who compares the disappointment of discovering a stone is fake to the let down he would get from realizing that she is not what she seemed. Am I remembering that correctly? Wasn't his response really on two different levels or was I giving this scene and script too much credit? Sorry, been a while since I've watched The Grifters.

[–] Useful_Reviewer 12 years ago

No, you're not mistaken. I watched it yesterday (first time for me); he definitely gave one of those double-meaning answers. She didn't actually undress in the store, but she made it obvious she was making a play for him.

After he identifies fake diamonds in "some of the finest filigree platinum I've ever seen," she makes her move, and asks him if he's interested.

He says: "Mrs. Langtree, something like this very rarely happens. The fine setting and workmanship usually means precious stones. It always hurts me when they're not. I always hope I'm mistaken."

Just checked the quote on Netflix to get it right.

When I was your age, television was called books!

[–] DingelBerry 11 years ago

She *beep* the guy

[–] jgroub 8 years ago

What you didn't notice about that scene is that she didn't know the jewels were fake. That was the same bracelet that Cole gave her while they were working the con on that cowboy character in the stockbroker office.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] TongueFu 8 years ago

If you saw her undress in the store, then you saw a different version than I did.