Paxton, in what seems to have been largely a labour of love, plays a member of a family of itinerant conmen who takes (a very young-looking!) Wahlberg under his wing, perhaps seeing himself in the newcomer. Both fall in love, and Paxton unwilling signs up with James Gannon for the big con to fund an operation for his
girlfriend's daughter. I don't think it's giving anything away to say it's not a smooth operation. The film never quite makes up its mind what it wants to be, lurching uncomfortably around from family drama, to two entirely separate love stories (Wahlberg's is never developed beyond the perfunctory), to a heist flick. Parts, such as the last-named, and the depiction of their scams, work really well however, and Paxton delivers a convincing portrayal of a man searching for happiness. However, the loose ends, occasional grinding cliche, and unconvincing deus ex machina at the climax leave this more an illustration of what could have been.
C-
