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Crime drama

Con Man (2018): Cast & Ratings

Con Man (2018) movie poster

Con Man is a 2018 crime drama directed by Bruce Caulk, starring Mark Hamill as Robert Minkow, Talia Shire and Elisabeth Röhm. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and was made on a reported $25 million budget. It holds 47% on TMDB.

Echo Score
44
budget
$25M
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Con Man (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Bruce Caulk
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Con Man About?

The premise of Con Man without spoilers.

This film recounts the true story of Robert Minkow, a teenager who achieves fame and fortune by establishing a publicly traded carpet company called ZZZZ Best. However, the company becomes notorious as one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history, built on deceptive practices and false promises to investors. It explores Minkow’s rise and the eventual downfall caused by his fraudulent activities.

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Cast & crew

Con Man Cast & Characters

Mark Hamill leads the cast as Robert Minkow, with Talia Shire as Carol Minkow and Elisabeth Röhm as Lisa Minkow. Directed by Bruce Caulk; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Con Man

· 9 more
Ratings

Con Man Reviews & Ratings

Con Man holds 47% on TMDB. Our Echo Score gives it 44/100, strongest in sensory experience (50) and weakest in art & craft (38).

44 /100

Con Man Echo Score Breakdown

Con Man presents a fractured biographical effort that struggles to balance its ambitious premise with uneven execution. Reviewers note the jarring inclusion of the real‑life conman and miscasting, while occasional moments of the large cast and strange fourth‑wall tricks provide brief interest. The film’s inconsistencies in story, performance and production leave it more forgettable than compelling, limiting its appeal to a niche audience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 38

    ART: The direction by Bruce Caulk is viewed as uneven, with critics describing the camera work as merely adequate for a low‑budget effort and the editing as disjointed. While a few note that the visual style remains serviceable, the overall craft fails to elevate the material, resulting in a modest technical impression.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    CHARACTER: Acting receives mixed reactions; the lead, a 34‑year‑old portraying a 16‑year‑old, is often called miscast and his performance, along with the self‑portrayal by Minkow, is labeled ham‑fisted. Conversely, seasoned actors such as James Caan and Mark Hamill are praised for delivering more convincing portrayals, giving the ensemble uneven emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 45

    STORY: Reviewers criticize the plot for being thin, fragmented, and riddled with missing chapters, leading to a lack of cohesive narrative flow. Some viewers, however, find the unconventional documentary‑style voice‑overs and the “Catch Me If You Can” pacing engaging enough to sustain interest, though the overall storytelling remains uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    SENSORY: Opinions on the film’s audio‑visual elements are split; the soundtrack is called atrocious by some, while others deem the sound design and cinematography merely adequate. The over‑saturated color palette draws criticism for being too bright, yet the occasional effective use of camera work and editing prevents the sensory experience from being wholly detrimental.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    REWATCH: The consensus on repeat viewing is largely negative; many reviewers state they would not watch the film again due to its disjointed narrative, miscasting, and uneven production quality. A minority appreciate the quirky fourth‑wall moments and the strong supporting cast, suggesting limited rewatch value for viewers intrigued by the subject matter.

Videos

Con Man Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Con Man.

CON MAN MOVIE TRAILER - James Caan, Ving Rhames
Cars

Cars in Con Man

17 cars on screen, including the 1984 Nissan 300ZX and the 1983 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer.

All 17 cars
  • 1984 Nissan 300ZX in Con Man 1984 Nissan 300ZX Important role
  • 1983 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer in Con Man 1983 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer Minor role
  • 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS in Con Man 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS Minor role
  • 1998 Ford Crown Victoria in Con Man 1998 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Details

Con Man Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Престъпник” and “Con Man - Aufstieg und Fall des Barry Minkow”.

Also known as
  • Престъпник
  • Con Man - Aufstieg und Fall des Barry Minkow
  • Kanciarz
  • A csaló
  • Vysněný život
  • Аферист
  • Vysnený život
  • 骗子

Seen Con Man?

FAQ

Con Man FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Con Man, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Con Man?

Con Man runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Con Man released?

Con Man was released on January 30, 2018.

Who directed Con Man?

Con Man was directed by Bruce Caulk.

Who is in the cast of Con Man?

Con Man stars Mark Hamill as Robert Minkow, Talia Shire as Carol Minkow and Elisabeth Röhm as Lisa Minkow, among 13 credited actors.

What was the budget of Con Man?

Con Man had a reported budget of $25 million.

How is Con Man rated?

Con Man has 47% on TMDB.

Does Con Man have a post-credit scene?

No. Con Man has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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