Rounders (Special Edition)
In the Game Of Life...Play The Cards You're Dealt.
Academy Award winner Matt Damon (The Bourne Supremacy) and Edward Norton (The Italian Job) star in this story of passion, risk and the extreme price of friendship! After losing a high-stakes card game Mike (Damon) gives up gambling for law school and a fresh start with his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol - Cradle Will Rock). But then his best buddy (Norton) gets out of prison and in over his head with a ruthless card shark (John Malkovich - Being John Malkovich). From there, Mike's string sense of loyalty 0 and the lure of the game - draws him back to the tables in a game he cannot afford to lose! Also starring John Turturro (O Brother, Where Art Thou?) and Oscar winner Martin landau (Ed Wood).
Member Reviews
Sleeper of a movie that is totally gripping - Sports
Regardless if you love or hate poker this is a first rate thriller/drama. I am very pleased they are making a follow up to the movie as it will be interesting to see what happens to the characters next. An early entry in the Damon and Norton cannon but one which showcases their acting talents. If you are a poker fan you are going to get a real kick out of the poker scenes as there is a great deal of tension as the attention to detail is clearly an objective of the production crew. I remember watching this in an empty movie theatre, I don't think the follow up will have a problem packing screens.Damon and Norton Playing Poker - Gregg
Story of a young law school student and one time poker player Mike (Matt Damon) who has managed to stay away from the card table after loosing his proverbial shirt in one big game, much to the relief of his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol). This all changes though when his long time friend and card playing partner Worm (Edward Norton) is released from prison and drags him without to much difficulty back to the table. With a friend named Worm you know that Mike is in for trouble, and that easy money isn’t going to be that easy.
The film presents a very detailed look at art/science of gambling that will leave many occasionally scratching their heads at some of the subtle nuances of the game as well as some of the terminology used by the gamblers.
A very good cast, and in addition to the leads we get some great supporting performances from Martin Landau as a sympathetic law professor, John Turturro as a sympathetic fellow gambler and John Malkovitch as a not so sympathetic mobster/gambler.
The interesting subject matter (provided you have some interest in Poker), strong cast and good script with solid character development made this an entertaining film for me. The film was on the leading edge of the rapid popularity rise of PokerModeratly entertaining, but quite flawed - Lone_Wolf
I’m a fan of poker, the game being one of the only card games I actually enjoy, so Rounders obviously appealed to me in that respect, and I’m sure this is the case with most people who decide to check the movie out. It was a good movie, I was entertained watching it, and felt fairly satisfied at the end, as if I hadn’t just wasted an hour and a half. But I really didn’t feel the movie ‘did’ anything, and it is mostly forgettable even five minutes later. It’s pretty fun while you’re there, but when you are done the movie almost instantly becomes an afterthought. Damon and Norton were both great, but unfortunately the movie relies way too much on overbearing narration, which is fine during the poker games, but being that the narration is used as a dramatic crutch takes something away from the story. Also, for a game about poker, there really isn’t as much actual power games as you would expect. Casino Royale had more poker, and it’s about James Bond. Mildly entertaining movie for when you have nothing else to do, but don’t expect a royal flush from Rounders.
Member Reviews
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Sleeper of a movie that is totally gripping - Sports
Regardless if you love or hate poker this is a first rate thriller/drama. I am very pleased they are making a follow up to the movie as it will be interesting to see what happens to the characters next. An early entry in the Damon and Norton cannon but one ...Damon and Norton Playing Poker - Gregg
Story of a young law school student and one time poker player Mike (Matt Damon) who has managed to stay away from the card table after loosing his proverbial shirt in one big game, much to the relief of his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol). This all changes though ...Moderatly entertaining, but quite flawed - Lone_Wolf
I’m a fan of poker, the game being one of the only card games I actually enjoy, so Rounders obviously appealed to me in that respect, and I’m sure this is the case with most people who decide to check the movie out. It was a good movie, I was entertained watching ...