Because many Americans’ perception of foreign films, they refuse to go to the theater to read subtitles. Many Hollywood people know this and decided to try and take advantage of it with this film. In the essay, the Hollywood film Criminal will be compared and contrasted to the original Argentine film Nine Queens in order to determine the different techniques used to make the same film and how these techniques relate to the films’ respective countries. Besides the similar plots, many aspects of the two films are similar or the same. Nine Queens is more of a global film than a national film; therefore, the Hollywood remake is bound to use similar techniques when remaking the film. One of the most apparent similarities between the two films is the directors’ use of camera angles. While driving down the road, both films decided to use one hand held camera to shoot close up shots of the characters during their conversations in the car. Using this method, it gives the viewer the feeling of being in the backseat of the car, riding along with the main characters. Also, as first done in the original film and copied in the remake, while characters are walking down the street, the camera is hidden on the other side of the street as if to not draw the attention of passersby to the men.
The hidden camera is a clever technique that makes the characters appear to be up to no good. In the beginning, both films use the same scams to show off the con-artists skills. Also, both films perceive the characters as having the same traits. For instance in Nine Queens, Juan appears to be inexperienced compared to Marcos when it comes to pulling off scams. After one scam, Juan tells Marcos that he does not like pulling off some scams that draw attention to himself, but Marcos replies that sometimes it is the only way to accomplish them. In Criminal, the character that is similar to Juan, named Rodrigo, is made out to be just as inexperienced, if not more. When Richard is asked how much Mr. Hannigan offered for the bill, Rodrigo interrupts Richard by saying what Mr. Hannigan actually agreed on while Richard is understating the price in order to make the buyer think he is getting a higher percentage of the earnings. While inexperienced, “The kid is decent where Richard, dressed cleanly in a bright suit, only seems decent. ‘You have the only thing money and practice can't buy,’ he tells Rodrigo. ‘You look like a nice guy’ (Morris). After watching the films, the similarities are apparent between Criminal and Nine Queens.
Despite the similarities in the films, Hollywood did not copy every element of Nine Queens. The most obvious difference is “The setting has been moved from South America to Los Angeles, and instead of rare stamps, the priceless fetish being sought is a one-of-a-kind 1878 Monroe Silver Certificate” (Film). When two films are almost exactly the same, the small differences between the films are what really set them apart. While many critics believe Nine Queens is far superior film to Criminal, it is the often the overlooked elements that make it more enjoyable. The critics’ beliefs were supported through box office results as Nine Queens made $1.1 million, Criminal did not even make $.75 million which is a large contrast based on the size of the potential American audience compared to the smaller potential of the Argentine audience (Rotten). If a viewer were to watch both films, they may tell you which one they like better, but not be able to tell you why. Often times, it is the intangibles that make a movie better. For example, the characters in Nine Queens appear to be more defined and their personalities are more developed. In Criminal, Richard is not as believable as a tough, street-smart criminal when compared to Marcos in Nine Queens. This is due to the look and dress of each character. Richard had earned his money, drove a Mercedes, and wore nice suites while Marcos was still earning his money and wore suites that looked like they were worn and broken in. Also, Richard has more of a baby face that is not believable as a criminal. Nine Queens is not superior to Criminal in every way however.
During the ending of the film when Richard is basically selling his sister to Mr. Hannigan, the Hollywood film does a great job of using lighting to set the mood. Using low-key, high-contrast lighting, it is clear to the viewer that what Richard is doing is unmoral. With the decision to use of high-key lighting, Nine Queens does not use lighting as well to set the mood. One other element that is missing in Nine Queens is the use of Spanish as a way to con Richard. Obviously, this was not used in Nine Queens since the film was recorded in Spanish, but this is unique to Criminal. Perhaps one of the greatest differences between the two films is the ending. In Nine Queens, Marcos takes the bankers check to the bank to get it cashed, but due to the poor economic conditions, the banks are closed, and the check is worthless. According to one New York Times article, “As the deceptions and duplicity mount, Nine Queens momentarily convinces you that we live in a world ruled by artful theft” (Con). When Criminal was shot, the American viewer could not believe that something such as this could happen in the United States, so the ending was changed. It is ironic that the same ending probably could be used today in the current economic crisis and would be believed by the American viewer. In Criminal, they do not make it clear what exactly happens to Richard and why he is arrested. This leaves the viewer guessing, but it seems to hurts the movie. One of the major differences between Argentina and the United States is the presence of crime. Because there is so much crime in Argentina, when the briefcase is stolen, it seems more common than and not as random as a briefcase getting stolen in the United States. In both films, “When the grand design and its motives are finally revealed, the temptation is irresistible to go back and make connections, many of which seem far-fetched at best” (Film). When two films tell the same story, it comes down to the small differences that make or break the film. After comparing and contrasting Nine Queens and Criminal, the films are extremely similar but do contain small differences that are unique to their country. It is ironic that Hollywood would remake a film that was said to be straight from the mold of Hollywood filmmaking. After viewing both films, it seems as if the film was only remade to lose the subtitles and to make American viewers that are prejudice against foreign films come see a thrilling crime movie. Often times, Hollywood films become too robotic and formulaic which is the reason why Criminal was not as successful as Nine Queens.
Robert Hicks
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