Confidence

(R). Greasy as a paper sack of franchise fried chicken (with contents just as satisfying), this caper flick stars Edward Burns as a grifter who avenges a friend's murder the only way he knows how: by pulling off an elaborate scam. With Rachel Weisz, Andy Garcia, Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman in a flamboyant cameo as a short-tempered hood. Directed by James Foley ("Glengarry Glen Ross") from a script by Doug Jung. 1:38 (violence, vulgarity, sexual situations, some nudity). At area theaters.

By Gene Seymour

April 25, 2003