Traveller: Critic Reviews

This fresh and interesting story about a tight-knit clan of Irish grifters in the rural South who make their living scamming is a ''con men on the road'' picture all the more welcome during a season of junky action thrillers...

While independent films flourish, they have nearly eradicated the scrappy B movie, of which this is an agile, enjoyable example.

Like Paper Moon, this mostly easygoing comedy-drama has its charms, despite promoting a dubious morality that finds amusement in ripped-off victims.

This is a film about people who get by depending on antisocial skills and outlaw wit, and Green and writer Jim McGlynn clearly empathize with their independent spirit and lifestyle, even if they don't completely approve.

Eastwood's longtime lenser Jack Green makes a decent feature debut with a well-acted comedy-adventure that in its good moments recalls such classics as The Sting and The Grifters.

The script is smart and sneaky -- by never telling the audience more than is necessary, it develops a keen sense of suspense that persists until the gritty final reel.

Though competently directed by Clint Eastwood's camerman Jack Green, matters unravel when the film ratchets up the tension and become entirely implausible at the close.

Mark Wahlberg gives a fine, fine performance

Interesting slice-of-life about a deliberately little-known pocket of American culture.

An engrossing human drama set among a subculture unknown to most Americans.

Fascinating slice-of-life drama about a tightly knit clan of con men.

Traveller offers a fun, escapist ride when it allows moviegoers the thrill of taking part in the clever trickery, but it's even better when it explores the intense loyalty and Irish-based customs of these masterful thieves.

I was disappointed that it couldn't follow its genuinely good and original first half with a more interesting coda.

There's something a bit dull about the movie that gives you the leisure to wonder what's so great about being a Traveller and so terrible about being excommunicated.

Thanks to rich characterizations and a strong cast, this is one story of con men in which the "men" are more important than the "con."

A film like Traveller makes you realize that all along, Paxton has inhabited his characters so well that his ability is transparent.

Traveller has the kind of warmth and spirit that overrides any of its structural flaws. The excursion is well worth the fare.

For a movie about a highly unusual topic -- modern day Irish Gypsies in the South -- Traveller, disappointingly, never goes anywhere remotely unexpected.