MovieChat Forums > The Spanish Prisoner (1998) Discussion > Suffers from the usual problem with comp...

Suffers from the usual problem with complex 'con' films


This was an enjoyable and entertaining film apart from a few instances of somewhat unbelievable behaviour that stood out like a sore thumb 'in situ'.

However, it suffers from the same problem that a great many complex 'con' dramas suffer from:

Although it may be entirely believable that the people behaved as they did at any point - in other words, the plot works as shown - the scam would never have been conceived because it relies on various characters that are not 'in' on it behaving in very specific ways at many different times.

It may be entirely credible that in certain situations a would do x, b would do y and c would do z, but in each of these situations it's usually equally feasible that a would do x1 or x2, be would do y1 or y2, etc.

There are so many points in the plot here (and in most other complex cons) where things could have gone in different directions it is quite impossible for the planners to have even a small fraction of the eventualities covered.

It seems to me that it's far better to just go along for the ride, perhaps roll your eyes at some of the plot holes, but generally enjoy the film for what its is; as one reviewer used to say: 'harmless hokum'.


(Note that 'The Sting', although complex to set up, was actually a very simple con, so was a lot more believable than those where the actual mechanism of the con is complex.)

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It's just a movie wiki, and a good one at that. So just relax and enjoy it.

Boom.





Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar, and / or doesn't.

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It's just a movie wiki, and a good one at that. So just relax and enjoy it.


Just what I was saying with: "It seems to me that it's far better to just go along for the ride".

You do realise that some people can enjoy a film and still see problems with the plot?

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