"A Crooked Somebody" is a sleeper with a great set of quirky characters and offbeat humor.

On one level, the film is a satire of psychics, as the focal point is the character of the charlatan Michael Vaughn. Michael and his sneaky partner Chelsea prey upon those gullible souls who attend his seminars and seek to commune with the dead. Michael is always looking for the right angle, and he keeps doubling down on exploiting people until he reaches the endgame.

The showdown comes in the sleepy community of Lone Valley, Nevada. It is there that Michael seeks notoriety and riches in a sensational interview of an orphan with her deceased father. Michael is working in cahoots with a shady character named Nathan, who killed Stacy's dad, but became tortured by guilt over the years. Nathan at first kidnaps Michael to help him seek atonement, then is duped into believing that Michael is a genuine psychic.

The most intriguing relationship in the film is that of Michael and Nathan. Michael tries to turn the tables on Nathan by exploiting the murder and leading a news crew to the site where Nathan buried the body. Chelsea becomes a player when she appears to be working in league with Michael to promote the fantastical story.

Ed Harris's small role of Michael's father, a pastor, who considers Michael to be the prodigal son, is one of the many carefully crafted small roles in the film. The father delivers the moral message of the film when speaking the following words to Michael both as a minister and a father: "It's better to be an honest nobody than a crooked somebody." Of course, Michael does not heed the advice.

Other well crafted roles include a pair of wily police officers working the beat in Lone Valley and a sassy motel proprietor, whose character nearly steals the show. It is a great cast and a noble effort in creating a clever dark comedy. Kudos to the producers of this modest but creative film!

Michael Vaughn (Rich Sommer) is a phony psychic and not very good at it. He uses a shill, a sometimes girlfriend (Joanne Froggatt) when he gets into trouble. It is good enough to convince the weak minded he talks to the dead. Nathan (Clifton Collins Jr. ) attends a demonstration and is convinced Michael knows that he killed a man named Jim long ago. Nathan abducts Michael and intends to kill him...but the fast thinking Michael manages to escape and befriend Nathan, leading to an odd relationship that takes a number of twists.

What I liked about the film is that it was fresh. It had a good plot, good dialogue, and decent performances. I wish every low budget film had those free aspects.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

Although let's keep God out of it. It is more a spiritual journey ... or a crooked one as the title suggests. You may know the lead actor from Mad Men, but even if you don't his seemless nature and his acting are impeccable in the movie. As is Clifton Collins and the others who are in this (always nice seeing Ed Harris, even if it is just in a small role).

The story itself would have given material for more. Saying that, it doesn't mean that the movie we get is bad. I just feel there was potential for more. Especially with the tagged on twist towards the end. But it is what it is ... and it's a neat thriller/drama with great performances overall