John Cusack: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked
2. Roy Dillon - The Grifters
Already a fan of Jim Thompson's novel of the same name before director Stephen Frears and producer Martin Scorsese began coveting an adaptation, Cusack went all method - spending time with various con men, learning their tricks - in order to land this near career-defining role. As small time crook, Roy Dillon, Cusack oozes cool in a film that is as much of a Greek tragedy as it is a neo noir. Only a laid back actor with his calm could make close to the knuckle scenes of implied incest with his on screen ma (an electrifying Angelica Huston) both believable and shocking at the same time. This heady mix makes for one of Cusack's most complex and rewarding roles to date.
Shaun is a former contributor for a number of Future Publishing titles and more recently worked as a staffer at Imagine Publishing.
He can now be found banking in the daytime and writing a variety of articles for What Culture, namely around his favourite topics of film, retro gaming, music, TV and, when he's feeling clever, literature.
