So I recently watched The Gambler and I'm here to bring you my review. So without further ado...
Jim Bennett (played by Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (played by Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (played by Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (played by Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (played by John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett's future. As his relationship with a student (played by Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance.
This film is very underwhelming and misleading. I mean at first glance you would think that the film would be about a man who has gotten deep in debt and is on track to lose everything that he has and that he absolutely loves. In a sense you do get that, but its the complete opposite and you honestly don't give a crap about anyone in this film. You're given no incentive to what each character's motivation is throughout the film. Plus the film wastes some talented actors and actresses like John Goodman and Jessica Lange who are only really given two scenes apiece and while they are really great and powerful scenes I just wanted to see them more and more, but they don't and just left asking why were they in the film at all. Plus the trailers would lead you to believe that John Goodman is the villain of the film and it turns out he's not so the trailers was really misleading. The film also has some sloppy dialogue and everything is just a complete mess. Overall the film has some great performances, but unbelievable motivations for actions and misuse of talent really just brings the film down to flat out disappointing. I give The Gambler a 2 out of 10.
Jonah Sparks
Jim Bennett (played by Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (played by Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (played by Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (played by Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (played by John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett's future. As his relationship with a student (played by Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance.
This film is very underwhelming and misleading. I mean at first glance you would think that the film would be about a man who has gotten deep in debt and is on track to lose everything that he has and that he absolutely loves. In a sense you do get that, but its the complete opposite and you honestly don't give a crap about anyone in this film. You're given no incentive to what each character's motivation is throughout the film. Plus the film wastes some talented actors and actresses like John Goodman and Jessica Lange who are only really given two scenes apiece and while they are really great and powerful scenes I just wanted to see them more and more, but they don't and just left asking why were they in the film at all. Plus the trailers would lead you to believe that John Goodman is the villain of the film and it turns out he's not so the trailers was really misleading. The film also has some sloppy dialogue and everything is just a complete mess. Overall the film has some great performances, but unbelievable motivations for actions and misuse of talent really just brings the film down to flat out disappointing. I give The Gambler a 2 out of 10.
Jonah Sparks
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