Con Man Movie Quote

June 27, 2005 2:10 PM

I'm looking for the text of a movie quotation about con men.

I think it was one con man giving advice to a protege, and it was something about the fact that the word "con" stands for confidence. Not the confidence placed in the con by the mark, but the other way around. In other words, the mark is sucked in by the con man's (seeming) confidence in him. I probably saw this movie in the late 80's - early 90's. Anyone know the movie or (preferably) the actual quotation?

posted by cali to Society & Culture (7 answers total)

Best answer: It's from David Mamet's House of Games. The line, quoted from the screenplay (p34), is:

MIKE: The basic idea is this: it's called a "confidence" game. Why? Because you give me your confidence? No. Because I give you mine. So what we have here, in addition to "Adventures in Human Misery," is a short course in psychology. [...]
posted by eschatfische at 2:21 PM on June 27, 2005

This is like the 7th time I've seen House of Games linked here in the past three days. Must rent.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:24 PM on June 27, 2005

Response by poster: You people rock.
posted by cali at 2:41 PM on June 27, 2005

Yes, DNAB, you must see this very good movie. If only for a short scene starring a very young actor who later would become famous for quirky roles.
posted by matildaben at 2:51 PM on June 27, 2005

Plus, it contains one of my all-time favorite lines ever uttered by the incomparable Ricky Jay.
posted by scody at 3:01 PM on June 27, 2005

Second the recommendation for a rental.
posted by alms at 3:10 PM on June 27, 2005

Did I miss a thread or is this the ultimate opportunity to make con movie top something?
posted by ouke at 3:35 PM on June 27, 2005