With Jill Sprecher‘s The Convincer, Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin reunite on the independent film scene after achieving success with Little Miss Sunshine. Unfortunately, the results are nowhere near the same. Kinnear plays a despicable insurance salesman who uncovers an antique violin worthy of a heft sum. The violin’s owner (Arkin) installs a security system at his house thanks to locksmith Randy Kinney (Billy Crudup). After a tedious first act filled with generic voice-over, things get interesting when Crudup (who steals nearly every scene) kills a neighbor with Kinnear as an accomplice. The initial shock wears out quickly though and the film heads into Coen-wannabe area as Kinnear gets himself into deeper and deeper trouble. The twist ending feels rushed and contrived, making for a disappointing explanation. Dan Mecca and I recorded a video reaction with our expanded thoughts below.