ROY (Nicholas Cage) and Frank (Sam Rockwell) are scam-pulling, wheeler-dealing con men, sorry, 'con artistes' as Roy would rather they were known.

Though they are good at their jobs, they try and remain small time, scamming relatively small amounts of money from people who have more bucks than brain cells.

Roy, however, does not seem a suitable candidate for the conning game. He has obsessive compulsive disorder which reveals itself in his need for cleanliness and bizarre rituals.

He also hates daylight and sunshine, developing irritating facial tics whenever he is exposed to it against his will.

He consults a psychiatrist to discuss his many life-issues and reveals he may have a child he has never met.

He does meet his charming teenage daughter Angela (Alison Lohman) who develops an unhealthy fascination in his chosen career and shows she is a natural con artiste.

What follows is pleasing but slow in places,building to a superb climax.

Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell are already established, well-respected actors but Ms Lohman is the one to watch in the future - her performance is almost faultless.

HC