Synopsis
A small-time conman has his loyalties torn between his estranged mother and his new girlfriend, both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own angles to play.
Key facts
Cast
Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening, Jan Munroe, Robert Weems, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jimmy Noonan, Richard Holden
Original language
English
First release
August 8, 1990 (Germany)
Production companies
Cineplex Odeon Films
Home video distributors
HBO Home Video (United States), Cineplex Odeon Home Video (Canada)
Based on
The Grifters
Awards
National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Setting
Los Angeles
Filming locations
California, San Diego, Arizona
Crew
Screenplay
Donald E. Westlake
Producer
Jim Painten, Martin Scorsese, Robert A. Harris
Cinematography
Oliver Stapleton
Editing
Mick Audsley
Music
Elmer Bernstein
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
- Seattle International Film Festival 2017 generic
- Academy Awards 1991 academy_award
- Berlin International Film Festival 1991 generic
- Edgar Allan Poe Awards 1991 generic - Best Motion Picture Screenplay ★ Winner; writer(s): Donald E. Westlake
- Independent Spirit Awards 1991 generic
- Sundance Film Festival 1991 generic
Titles
| Original title | The Grifters | |
| Québec French title | Les Arnaqueurs |
VHS & home video releases
| VHS | Cineplex Odeon Home Video (cat. no. COHV6140) | 1991, Canada, slipcase |
| VHS | HBO Home Video (cat. no. 90545) | 1991, United States, slipcase |
Soundtracks
| Vinyl LP | The Grifters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Elmer Bernstein (1990) | 1 release, 1990: Varèse Sarabande |
| CD | The Grifters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Elmer Bernstein (1990) | 3 releases, 1990-1991: Soundtrack Listeners Communications Inc., Varèse Sarabande |
| Cassette | The Grifters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Elmer Bernstein (1990) | 1 release, 1990: Varèse Sarabande |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | Germany | August 8, 1990 |
| Theatrical | Greece | October 10, 1990 |
| Theatrical | United States | December 5, 1990 |
| Theatrical | France | January 23, 1991 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | February 1, 1991 |
| Theatrical | Australia | February 28, 1991 |
| Theatrical | Portugal | April 19, 1991 |
| Theatrical | Turkey | February 28, 1992 |
| Theatrical | South Korea | July 31, 1993 |
| Classification | Germany | 16 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 15 |
| Classification | United States | R |
Versions & editions
| Home video VHS | United States | 1991 90545 |
| Home video VHS | Canada | 1991 COHV6140 |
| Home video | Czech Republic | September 1, 1994 |
| Home video | France | April 17, 2008 |
| Home video | France | January 22, 2025 |
Full credits
| Director | Stephen Frears |
| Cast | Anjelica Huston (Lilly Dillon), John Cusack (Roy Dillon), Annette Bening (Myra Langtry), Jan Munroe (Guy in bar), Robert Weems (Racetrack Announcer), Stephen Tobolowsky (Jeweler), Jimmy Noonan (Bartender), Richard Holden (Cop), Henry Jones (Sims), Michael Laskin (Irv), Eddie Jones (Mintz), Sandy Baron (Doctor), Lou Hancock (Nurse), Gailard Sartain (Joe), Noelle Harling (Nurse Carol Flynn), Ivette Soler (Maid), Pat Hingle (Bobo Justus), Paul Adelstein (Sailor - Young Paul), Jeremy Piven (Sailor - Freshman), Gregory Sporleder (Sailor - Spooney), David Sinaiko (Sailor - Stinky), Jeff Perry (Drunk), Jon Gries (Drunk's Friend), Micole Mercurio (Waitress), Charles Napier (Gloucester Hebbing), J.T. Walsh (Cole), Teresa Gilmore (Receptionist 1), Elizabeth Ann Feeley (Receptionist 2), Billy Ray Sharkey (FBI man), Frances Bay (Arizona Motel Clerk), Xander Berkeley (Lt. Pierson), John Gillespie (Bartender (uncredited)), Juliet Landau (Young Lilly (uncredited)), Sy Richardson (Cab Driver (uncredited)), Martin Scorsese (Opening voice-over (uncredited)), Lee Hollingsworth (Dog Race Spectator (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Donald E. Westlake |
| Producer | Jim Painten, Martin Scorsese, Robert A. Harris |
| Executive producer | Barbara De Fina |
| Cinematography | Oliver Stapleton |
| Editing | Mick Audsley |
| Music | Elmer Bernstein |
| Production design | Dennis Gassner |
| Costumes | Richard Hornung |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
