INSIDE THE MIND OF THE QUEEN OF CONS: LILY SCHMIDT

Cinemavixion Review

This documentary delves into the captivating and complex life of Lily Schmidt, a con artist whose mastery of disguise and deception allowed her to evade authorities for years under numerous aliases. The narrative meticulously traces her criminal journey, from her time spent incarcerated in Riker's Island to a federal penitentiary in Kentucky, highlighting the audacious nature of her illicit activities. A pivotal moment in the story is Schmidt's attempted murder of federal agents, a desperate act that led to a forensic examination of her mental state. The evaluation by psychologist Barbara Kerwin, who ultimately deemed Schmidt's claims of mental incompetence a fabrication, forms a crucial part of the exposé. The film serves as a compelling study of a cunning individual who pushed the boundaries of the law and the legal system's ability to discern truth from performance.