Ed refused to fall for Dustin's "something on your tie" trick.

If there's one thing I've learned from my years of movie going it's this: screenwriters love conmen. Maybe it's because they're usually highly verbal, affording the writer lots of opportunities for colorful, layered dialogue. Maybe screenwriters identify with the idea of grifter as puppetmaster, manipulating the "characters" in their game. Maybe it's just the conman's cool assurance, his confidence, that makes him such a popular character type. All these qualities and more are on display in Confidence. Unfortunately, its by-the-numbers script doesn't bring anything new or fresh to the con movie genre.

Here's the setup: a group of grifters led by smooth-as-silk Jake Vig (Edward Burns) cons a mark out of $50,000. They split the loot and everyone's happy until one of them gets shot in the head, which could spoil anyone's day. Turns out the mark worked for a local crime boss known as The King (Dustin Hoffman). The King wants his money back and in order to repay him the gang agrees to run a con on a high-buck mob attorney. Let the games begin.

Fine. I like con movies too. Watching the scheme play out and trying to predict where it's going to twist makes a fun intellectual exercise. But there's a fine line between an intellectual exercise and a genuinely engaging movie and Confidence rarely crosses that line.

What's holding it back, mainly, is the script by Doug Jung. He uses a flashback heavy structure as Jake, gun to his head, tells the story to a henchman who, by any stretch of logic, should simply be blowing Jake's brains out. The plot holds up pretty well, but that's partly because the flashback technique itself is a big old safety net: any flaws you find in the narrative can be chalked up to Jake not being totally honest.

Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz

Characterization and dialogue are a bigger problem. Jung seems to be working with the Tarantino Lite Screenwriter's Kit. Each character comes complete with meaningless quirks and faux colorful dialogue. None of it is terribly original or memorable. It's not coming from anywhere or going anywhere.

Director James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross) keeps things lively with creative visuals, quick cuts and a grab bag of film stocks. As for the performances, the film is packed with talented character actors like Luis Guzman and Paul Giamatti who make the most of what they're given. Andy Garcia is good, cast against type as a scruffy lawman. He's got a sly, shifty quality in his seersucker suit and three-day beard. Ed Burns is serviceable but wouldn't be my first choice as the smooth talking lead. Jake should have a magnetic appeal that Burns lacks. Rachel Weisz, who can pull off plucky adventurer (The Mummy) and wholesome-sexy (About a Boy) is ill suited for her femme fatale role.

But damn. Dustin Hoffman is just terrific as The King, and pretty much worth the price of admission all by himself. You can't take your eyes off him in his too-brief scenes. Shuffling through his strip club, grinning at the arrogant punk in front of him, Hoffman has the air of someone who has been around any number of blocks.

Overall, the predictably unpredictable Confidence is diverting entertainment but instantly forgettable. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

Gorilla Pants rating: 2 out of 4 bananas