the first of two jim thompson adaptation release in 1990 ( the other be the more well know grifter ) and after dark have all of thompson hallmark represent dangerous woman and the confidence game and and character that be either not as dim a others suspect them of be and or not a harmless . jason patric be superb a a former boxer disqualify from the sport for life due to an incident in the ring ( director james foley us rag bull esquire sequence to flesh out the back story ) and the too little see rachel ward also deliver a great performance . but bruce dern be the film secret weapon represent his sweet talk grifter uncle bud subtly command each of his scene . there almost no comic relief in this film and so watch it prepare to be suck into the void .