Criminal flourishes in every detail of the con artist’s game. John C. Reilly and Diego Luna match each other beat for beat as grifters, fully up to the tricks of their devious trade.

At first glance, the film can prove slight. The opening twenty-five minutes or so feels like a warming up period – establishing basic character traits that become vital later on. With plans to sink their hook into an entrepreneur, Richard Gaddis (Reilly) and Rodrigo (Luna) may have found the ideal score.

As Criminal unfolds, you could be forgiven for thinking, “Okay, I understand this world but where’s the story?” The actual foundations for a plotline evolve seamlessly from well-observed situations.

Echoes of The Sting come frighteningly to mind when considering the outline for Gregory Jacobs’ outing. While the latter lacks the former’s sense of innate style, there’s a palpable through-line in which the suspense comes across very well.

Casting character actors such as Reilly and Luna over brand names convinces me that Jacobs wanted to take a chance. No doubt he saw something in their chemistry because the acting rivets the attention.

Criminal may not tap into the zeitgeist or boast the kind of box-office pedigree that wins Oscars, but just as valid are the performances and quality of screenwriting that map out a clear trajectory for the audience. No risk of a spoiler alert here, trust me when I say the ending will surprise you.

(Released by Warner Independent and rated "R" by MPAA.)