Lords of the frauds
These 10 conmen and women are bad guys, but good at making us love them. We love a smooth operator. Admit it, so do you
Jo and Penn in The Hustle (2019)
Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson aren’t afraid of physical comedy. Obvi- ously, a film about them teaming up to con an internet millionaire would be delicious. The movie isn’t great, we admit. But Wilson, in a leatherette dress evades cops by impersonating a garbage bag. Then, Wilson, in a gold dress, escapes once more by crouching and impersonating a Christmas bauble. Fun stuff!
Neal Caffrey in White Collar (2009-2014)
Neal is silky smooth, and we don’t just mean his hair and jawline. Matt Bomer makes the most of his exceptional looks by playing a thief who becomes an ankle- bracelet-wearing consultant after he’s caught. The cons are inventive, involving whole backstories. There are heartwarm- ing moments too, as Caffrey goes looking for his former girlfriend. There’s even a handsome golden retriever, the only competition Caffrey has.
Lee Israel in Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
Melissa McCarthy typically plays it loud and brash. This quiet role earned her an Oscar nomination. A ghostwriter and biographer, smart but broke, starts forging literary correspondence to keep the lights on. It’s a petty scam, a victimless crime. But it’s a heartbreaking look at adult loneliness and the publishing business. You don’t champion Lee, but you do forgive her.
Frank Abagnale Jr in Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Leonardo DiCaprio’s character starts early, pulling cons in high school, impersonating teachers – and his dad is more impressed than annoyed. Naturally, when the family falls apart, conning is all he has. He ends up being a fake pilot, doctor, cheque forger (but a legit lawyer) before an FBI agent catches up with him. The movie’s best quality: Delivering the delicious thrill of a scam well played, over and over.
Michael Ross in Suits (2011- 2019)
Why wouldn’t you trust Mike Ross? His eyes are baby blue. Why wouldn’t you believe he studied law at Harvard? He knows everything. Except, Mike hasn’t been to any law college. He just has a good memory and is very, very smart. And he does put in the hard work on his cases. He manages to keep his secret in season after season. But really, it’s the power plays, not practising the law, where his talents shine.
Gulrez in Daawat-e-Ishq (2014)
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. She might even con you. Gul- rez (Parineeti Chopra) plans to entrap any greedy groom under India’s anti-dowry laws, until she meets Tariq (Aditya Roy Kapur). Only, he’s not aiming for money, and she ends up falling for him. She drugs him and runs away with the money, anyway. But there’s a happy ending later on.
Tom Ripley in Ripley (2024) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Do you prefer Matt Damon in the movie or Andrew Scott in the new series? Doesn’t matter. They’re both so sinister and solitary in this 1950s story. Ripley is hired by a rich man to go to Italy and convince his prodison gal to return to the family business. Ripley, how- ever, ends up loving the good life too much. Enough to smoothly deceive and commit murder.
The Horsemen in Now You See Me (2013, 2016)
Sleight of hand, misdirection, a long con and slow-simmering revenge. Oh, and an FBI agent (Mark Ruffalo) watching every move. The foursome (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco) execute their tricks in style, robbing banks to fund charities and shower it on their audiences. Both films are a visual treat. And who doesn’t love conning a cor- rupt millionaire?