MovieChat Forums > The Grifters (1991) Discussion > Deeper message of the movie

Deeper message of the movie

posted 17 years ago by michalchik
4 replies | jump to latest

This is one of my favorite movies because I think it is a wonderful object lesson on why an immoral life doesn't work. All these characters are leading insane lives. They are trying to make a living by preying on other people and flouting basic standards of ethics. When you live a twisted life, events run away from you in crazy directions. Annette Benning gets killed trying to do something wrong. John Cusack gets killed just while drinking a glass of water. Angelica Houston's character has her life ruined and ultimately kills her son because she showed love in bringing him to the hospital. It didn't really matter whether they were playing a long con, a short con or manipulating the system. All are essentially cheats that destroy the fabric of their lives that keep us all safe from disaster. In a away it reminds me of the novel "Crime and Punishment".

[–] rfniligxkx 17 years ago

May I suggest that you add the warning to your post that it contains SPOILERS?
I've seen the movie before reading your comment, so personally I don't mind, but it might the ruin the movie for someone who hasn't seen it yet but decided to read your comment anyway.

[–] Nick55419 17 years ago

lol I agree... Glad I saw the movie before I read this posting. I agree that it plays to the moral "Don't be immoral" but you have to admit as far as the big picture is concerned, life in general is like that. You do something good and it may result in eventually coming back and hurting you, or someone else. The same goes for doing something bad or immoral, it can hurt you or help you in the long run, and that is the way of the world :) lol. For example, doing something good like I don't know helping an out of towner find the store they were looking for, and then you find out they pick pocketed you or robbed the store and shot the employees. It's a mad world

[–] murry-4 17 years ago

iawtc. I would agree that it's not a crime story so much as it is a character story. But, I wouldn't put the moral twist on it. I think it's more about the characters just trying to survive in the world.

[–] edorapietrafesa 16 years ago

it's like the old adage, it's easier just to live a clean honest life then to bust your arse living a dishonest life of theft, drugs, prostitution. you put so much energy trying to con someone and just staying ahead, you might as well just get a job and pay your own way. no law following you, no hit men, no scummy people. but some people live on adrenaline and couldn't stand a "boring" life so their lives of crime are the road they take. but it must be exhausting and take a huge toll on your soul and mental state.