The Brothers Bloom
The ‘perfect con’, according to Stephen in The Brothers Bloom, is one where everyone involved gets just what they wanted. What Stephen’s brother, Bloom, wants is a new, unknown life. So the brothers embark on one last, big con. Things become complicated, as they often do, when Bloom falls in love with the brothers’ mark, Penelope. The plan eventually goes awry.
Not to be beaten, though, the brothers, along with new partner Penelope, put together ANOTHER last, big con. Once again, though, events spiral out of control when the mark gets the upper hand, and Stephen is held to ransom. Bullets are exchanged, and Bloom is distraught when the dust settles, and Stephen is dripping with blood. It turns out, though, that this is part of Stephen’s plan, and Bloom gets his wish, driving off into the sunset with his love Penelope, bound for their new life.
The con, though, was not that Stephen hadn’t really been shot. The trick Stephen pulled was convincing his brother that everything had gone according to plan when, in fact, things were far messier than they appeared. So was it the perfect con? Did everyone really get just what they wanted? Not without some major sacrifices along the way.
