Movie Review: ‘Con Job’ – Humour, Bad Decisions and Rippling Effects.

‘Con Job‘ is a hilarious and sharp indie film written and directed by Ian Niles, who also stars as one of the leads.  This is a hilarious indie written and directed by Ian Niles. It tells an interesting story of a day in the life of two friends and their series of bad choices in a bid to make some money to solve their financial trouble.

The film cleverly showcases how one bad decision can spiral into a catastrophic series of events, making it both a thrilling and comedic watch.

The plot revolves around Chris (played by Ian Niles) and his best friend Angus (played by Menuhin Hart) who decide to swindle Angus’s estranged brother, Tim (played by Dean Edwards). Under the guise of Chris’s fake engagement, they lure Tim back home from abroad, planning to drug him and forge his signature to sell their late father’s house to developers. Their plan appears foolproof, especially since they’ve enlisted Jordan (played by Aaron Berg), a corrupt notary, to legitimize the documents. However, things take a chaotic and hilarious turn when Jordan unexpectedly dies. Despite this major setback, Chris and Angus are determined to salvage their scheme. They recruit Jeff (played by T.L. Flint), a henchman of Chris’s bookie, to impersonate Tim, and call in Chris’s neighbor, a seasoned notary, to finalize the paperwork. However, Jeff’s erratic behaviour only puts their already shaky plan at greater risk.

Things escalate for Chris and Angus as they try to stay afloat amid the madness. The more they try to fix things, the deeper they dig themselves into a rabbit hole of chaos, and watching them unravel is all the entertainment that you need.

Ian Niles and Menuhin Hart in Con Job (2024)

One of the standout elements of “Con Job” is its cast most of whom seem to have a background as comics.  Besides, writing and directing, Ian Niles delivers a solid performance as Chris, a character who is both the mastermind of the scheme and someone who manages to remain likeable despite his questionable actions. There’s a naivety and innocence to his portrayal that makes his character feel more unassuming, which adds to the humor. Ian Niles’ performance brings authenticity to a character who is otherwise in over his head, but just won’t quit. Menuhin Hart’s Angus is equally impressive. His delivery and wit make Angus a hilarious counterpart to Chris, with much of the film’s humour coming from their banter and the absurdity of their circumstances. He too shines in his role, effortlessly balancing the humour with moments of genuine panic as things spiral out of control.

Aaron Berg’s performance as the corrupt notary Jordan is a memorable highlight. As a roided-up, sleazy notary, Aaron Berg perfectly embodies the role, delivering a character that’s both comedic and imposing. Even though his character’s exit from the film comes early, he leaves such an impression that you can’t help but wonder how much more chaos he could have contributed if his character had stuck around. T.L. Flint’s portrayal of Jeff, the bookie’s unpredictable henchman, brings a new layer of tension to the film when he becomes the obvious antagonist in the narrative adding to the comedy of errors that ensue.

What makes ‘Con Job‘ truly work is its humour. Fortunately, it avoids falling into the trap of slapstick or forced comedy. The characters are inherently funny, without trying too hard. Their reactions to the escalating absurdity around them feel natural, and the film’s dark humour hits the right notes. The witty exchanges and banter between Chris and Angus, especially as their situation gets worse, are genuinely entertaining.

T.L. Flint in Con Job (2024)

Visually, this indie film impresses as well. Despite being a small-budget indie, the film looks and sounds impressive. Much of the story unfolds within Chris’s grandmother’s house, a setting that’s well-utilized to convey the sense of desperation and urgency driving the characters’ need for money. The set design, art direction, and editing are all top-notch, and the visual effects work seamlessly with the story’s tone. The film’s polished look is a testament to how well the production team used their resources, ensuring that this film feels as professional as it is entertaining.

Beyond the laughs, ‘Con Job‘ offers a subtle reflection on greed and the consequences of bad decisions. It explores how far people are willing to go when they’re desperate, and the ripple effect of one poor choice after another. The film’s ending, while not offering a clear resolution, leaves audiences with a thought-provoking climax that has you thinking.

Ian Niles deserves credit not only for his performance but for crafting a film that strikes the perfect balance between humour and chaos. His writing and direction are carefully thought out, introducing characters in a way that reveals their motivations piece by piece.

Overall, this is a well-executed indie film that’s as hilarious as creatively chaotic. With solid performances, sharp writing, and a polished look, it’s a must-watch for fans of dark comedies. I will give this film a well-deserving 8/10.

Ian Niles is certainly on my radar now and I would be looking forward to his next film to see what else he has in store.