fbi (spoiler)
seems like too much of the plot relied on the fact that he would use that fbi card from the island to contact the authorities, but other than that it was somewhat believable
shareWould have sucked if he had just called the local bunko squad, eh? ;)
shareI thought that too. When he took the card I thought, oh he shouldn't be trusting that but then I figured they never could have counted on him taking it so maybe it's fine. Guess they're just that intuitive.
shareThis is a good point. But the details of the con are so subtle that they are mind manipulations of Joe Ross, and so subtly interwoven into the plot as to be missed if you don't pay attention. The use of the FBI card is one example. Susan reminds Joe that it exists just before he has to call the FBI - how does she do it? She takes her vacation scrap book in to him to ostensibly show him something else, but in the process makes sure that the FBI agent's card is flashed before his eyes so as to make an impression on his subconscious mind. A few minutes later when he confirms that Jimmy is trying to get hold of the process his mind immediately connects the need for assistance from some police authority with the FBI card he had "seen" just a few minutes before.
Another example: after he contacts the FBI - he meets agent McCune in a van on the street. After the meeting they whisk him away in a waiting car. AS he is getting in, one of the FBI agents tells him it will be a "walk in the park" - and don't you know it, that is what they ask Joe to do the very next day. This type of unnoticed mental trick/suggestion is preparing Joe for accepting what is to come next.
Another example - reinforcing that Jimmy is a pilot - in his loft there is a large airplane propeller hanging on the wall near a poster of a sea plane. More mental reinforcement to get Joe to accept what he is being told and to subconsciously get him to take the next step the con artists want him to take.
It's freakin' brilliant if you ask me.
absolutely!
... and... wouldnt you call an FBI agent who is already in this case
and will know immediately about what you will talk about.
this FBI agent is the one you would call
not any other