Movies, that realm of the imaginary, are perfectly served by that tiny but eternally popular genre: the con man thriller. Whether it's the playfulness of "The Sting" or the convoluted twists and turns of David Mamet's "House of Games" and "Spanish Prisoner," we relish the sensation of being introduced to characters who are not what they pretend to be or situations that are not quite what they seem. Written and directed with assurance by Fabian Bielinsky, "Nine Queens" is a highly enjoyable and entertaining thriller with enough twists and turns to keep audiences guessing until the very end.

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