The Con Is On 2018
Directed by
James Oakley
Made by
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Plot Summary
Harriet “Harry” and Peter Fox are a dynamic duo of British con artists residing in London, plotting an elaborate jewel heist in Los Angeles while evading the wrath of a dangerous female gangster, Irina Solokov. Earlier, Harry had received a substantial sum from a nun after a questionable cocaine deal. However, both Harry and Peter squander their earnings on gambling and substances, leaving them broke and desperate. To escape their declining fortunes, they set their sights on Los Angeles, hoping to regroup and formulate their next plan.
Upon their arrival in the City of Angels, they reconnect with an old acquaintance, Sidney, a morally ambiguous priest who supplements his income with illegal activities. In a twist of fate, Harry and Peter strike a deal with Sidney, who offers them $40,000 to transport a shipment of opium. However, as tensions rise, Peter discovers that Irina is pursuing them not merely for financial reasons but also due to unanswered affections for Harry, harboring a deep disdain for Peter.
Sidney, ever the opportunist, covertly informs Irina about the bounty on Harry and Peter’s heads, prompting her to enlist her henchman and head to L.A. Meanwhile, while hiding out in a plush Beverly Hills hotel, Peter encounters his ex-wife, Jackie, who is now married to Gabriel, a film director entangled in a secretive affair with both Gina, a family member of Jackie’s, and Vivienne, a demanding Latina actress.
Obsessed with Jackie’s extravagant £5 million blue-stone ring, Harry and Peter concoct a plan to steal it as a means to repay Irina for their failed drug deal. They devise a clever scheme to create a counterfeit version of the ring that they would switch during a dinner party at Jackie and Gabriel’s residence. Unfortunately, their plans are thwarted by the inebriated Gabriel and Vivienne, who create chaos just as they attempt to execute their heist.
When Irina tracks down their location, Harry and Peter, in a panic, seek refuge in Jackie’s home, where Harry poses as a dog whisperer—but only succeeds in sending mixed signals to Jackie. Tensions boil over when Jackie and Gabriel attend an awards ceremony where Gabriel, despite winning the Best Director accolade, publicly disses Jackie by proclaiming his love for Vivienne during his acceptance speech. This betrayal ignites a furious conflict, culminating in Jackie tossing her ring into Harry’s glass of wine, creating an unexpected turning point.
The situation escalates into a shootout as Harry and Peter make their escape from the mansion, racing to the airport to evade Irina and her henchmen. Amid the fray, Harry manages to wound Irina and hand her the fake ring they intended to swap out. However, when they arrive at LAX, the duo discovers a shocking reality: they mistakenly brought the counterfeit instead of the genuine article. With no recourse but to flee, Harry and Peter board a flight to Brazil, leaving behind their entanglements and any remaining wealth, but finally escaping the clutches of their gangster pursuer.
Timeline
Desperate Beginnings
Harriet 'Harry' and Peter Fox, two con artists based in London, find themselves in dire straits after squandering a considerable sum of money received from a nun. Their reckless spending on gambling and substances leaves them broke and struggling to survive in a city that demands more than they can give.
The Plan for Los Angeles
Desperate to turn their fortunes around, Harry and Peter set their sights on Los Angeles, hoping to regroup and devise a new scheme. Their ambitions lead them across the ocean, seeking opportunities in a city known for its glamorous façade and hidden underworld.
Reunion with Sidney
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, the duo reconnects with an old acquaintance, Sidney, a morally ambiguous priest involved in illegal activities. Sidney presents them with an unexpected proposition: a lucrative job transporting a shipment of opium for $40,000.
Unraveling Tensions
As the deal with Sidney unfolds, Peter realizes that the stakes are higher than they initially thought. Irina, a dangerous gangster, is pursuing them, driven by complex feelings for Harry and a simmering resentment for Peter, complicating their situation significantly.
The Encounter with Jackie
Hiding out in a luxurious Beverly Hills hotel, Peter unexpectedly runs into his ex-wife, Jackie. Now married to film director Gabriel, Jackie is embroiled in her own tangled web of affairs, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere for Peter.
The Glittering Heist Idea
As they plot their next move, Harry and Peter become obsessed with Jackie's exquisite £5 million blue-stone ring. They concoct a scheme to create a counterfeit ring and switch it during a dinner party at Jackie and Gabriel's, hoping that the theft will redeem them in the eyes of Irina.
Dinner Party Fiasco
During the dinner party, chaos reigns as their heist goes awry due to the drunken antics of Gabriel and Vivienne, a demanding actress. Their ill-timed antics create a diversion, preventing Harry and Peter from executing their carefully laid plan.
The Revelation at the Awards Ceremony
Jackie and Gabriel attend an awards ceremony, where Gabriel publicly embarrasses Jackie by proclaiming his love for Vivienne during his acceptance speech. This betrayal ignites Jackie’s fury and sets off a series of events that spiral out of control.
A Mixed Signal
In the aftermath of the awards ceremony, Harry tries to win Jackie's favor by posing as a dog whisperer, but only manages to confuse and frustrate her further. Their relationship tension escalates as the stakes become increasingly personal.
The Furious Conflicts
Jackie's anger culminates in a dramatic turn of events when she tosses her blue-stone ring into Harry's glass of wine. This act signifies both betrayal and a crucial turning point that alters the course of their chaotic night.
Chaos Unleashed
As tensions reach a boiling point, Harry and Peter make a frantic escape from the mansion amidst an ensuing shootout. They race against time to reach the airport, desperate to elude Irina and her henchmen who are closing in on them.
The Airport Revelation
Upon reaching LAX, Harry and Peter realize an alarming mistake: they mistakenly brought the counterfeit ring intended for Irina, missing their chance to outsmart her. Faced with this blunder, they have no choice but to flee.
Escape to Brazil
In a last-ditch effort to evade capture, Harry and Peter board a flight to Brazil, leaving their troubles behind. This escape not only signifies a new beginning but also highlights their continual struggle to escape their tangled web of deceit and danger.
Characters
Harriet 'Harry' Fox (Uma Thurman)
Harry is a savvy and resourceful con artist, keen on schemes to escape her precarious lifestyle. Her strategic thinking often drives the duo's plans, but her choices are mired in selfishness and impulsive decisions. She displays a blend of charm and cunning, showcasing her ability to manipulate situations, yet also reveals vulnerability in her relationships.
Peter Fox (Tim Roth)
Peter is Harry's partner in crime, equally adept at deception but often reflecting a sense of melancholy regarding their reckless lifestyle. His interactions with other characters, especially Irina and Jackie, suggest a yearning for personal connection overshadowed by his chaotic environment. His loyalty to Harry is evident, yet he struggles with the consequences of their choices.
Irina Solokov (Maggie Q)
Irina is a dangerous gangster with a complex emotional landscape, harboring feelings for Harry and deep anger towards Peter. Her relentless pursuit of the duo highlights her formidable nature, as she balances her professional ruthlessness with personal vulnerabilities. Despite her menacing demeanor, her backstory adds depth to her motivations.
Sidney (Stephen Fry)
Sidney is a morally ambiguous priest who plays a crucial role in facilitating Harry and Peter's criminal activities. His opportunistic traits shine as he navigates his double life, offering them a precarious lifeline while simultaneously putting their lives in danger. His character embodies the theme of hypocrisy inherent in the film.
Jackie (Alice Eve)
Jackie represents the socialite caught in a web of deceit and betrayal, particularly in her turbulent relationship with Gabriel. Her conflict with Harry and Peter adds layers to her character, revealing her desperation amidst the chaos. She is portrayed as both a victim of circumstance and a catalyst for the film's pivotal moments.
Setting
Time period
The movie takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as the dangers of gambling and the pursuit of wealth through dubious means. The characters navigate a world where crime and deception are rampant, highlighting the moral ambiguity of their choices.
Location
London, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills
The movie features two primary locales: London, where Harry and Peter begin their journey as con artists, and Los Angeles, known as the City of Angels, where they plot their heist. Beverly Hills serves as the backdrop for their chaotic attempt to reclaim their fortunes, representing the glitz and glamour that often masks darker intentions.
Themes
🎩
Deception
Deception is at the heart of 'The Con Is On,' as Harry and Peter rely on their skills as con artists to survive. Their elaborate schemes reveal the lengths they will go to escape their troubles, but also the fallout of their dishonest actions. These themes are mirrored in their interactions with other characters who are equally entangled in deceit.
💔
Betrayal
Betrayal underscores the relationships within the film, particularly in the dynamic between Harry, Peter, Jackie, and Gabriel. The revelation of unfaithfulness and hidden agendas leads to explosive confrontations, ultimately complicating their plans and deepening the personal conflicts in their lives.
💰
Greed
Greed drives the characters' motivations, propelling them into a dangerous world of crime and exploitation. Their obsession with wealth leads to reckless decisions and the deterioration of relationships, illustrating how the pursuit of material gain can corrupt and destroy.
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