Movie Review: The Gambler

Rupert Wyatt’s latest adaptation of The Gambler, by James Toback, attempts to shed light into the dark world of the gambling addict. Unfortunately, the undertaking proves too lofty a goal for the film and it winds up being crushed under the weight of its own failed ideals.

Much like the tortured dilemma of Jim Bennet, played by Mark Wahlberg, The Gambler seems lost in its attempt at depth and introspection. Little attention is paid to classic storytelling concepts such as character development and a building plot. Instead, The Gambler drops you off in the middle of an already depressing story, expects you to figure it out, goes nowhere and winds up ending with a very predictable and anticlimactic spin of the wheel.

I would offer a warning that this review contains spoilers but, anyone who goes to see this movie can deduce the final scene within the first 15 minutes.

Mark Wahlberg’s character is convincing enough with the exception of his meandering philosophical diatribes that don’t seem well timed or connected to the plot or his role. Not to add more negativity to an already bleak review, but the love interest with one of his students doesn’t seem to fit anywhere either. It seems forced.

Like Wahlberg, Brie Larson does a fine job with what she’s given but her character doesn’t fit into the story. There isn’t any explanation of what she sees in her creepy, sardonic professor. Why would an otherwise well-adjusted student go for someone at the end of his rope? The only redeeming quality of this movie is the superb performance by John Goodman of a classic Mafioso loan shark who does his best to look out for Bennet. Goodman seems made for this role along with every other role he’s taken in recent years. Although, I could have done without the several scenes that seem to feature Goodman’s back fat for no apparent reason.

The Gambler ends with one final spin of the wheel in which the Professor wins the ability to pay off his rather sizable debts and get out of the game for keeps. There are two main problems with this ending. One, you know exactly how the movie is going to end once it begins. This makes the two hours in between both boring and depressing. Two, the Gambler’s solution to his problem is further delving into his addiction. How is the moral of the story to keep gambling until you finally win enough to break even? Professor Bennet then runs through the streets of LA in business casual attire to the door of his waiting and expectant student girlfriend. A cliché so tired it would have put me to sleep if I wasn’t so excited knowing the movie would soon be over.

This is the redemption offered in The Gambler: Give up gambling by placing one last big bet and your reward is that you get to date one of your students. Showing up at a casino at 8:00am and watching senior citizens wheel their oxygen tanks up to slot machines would be less depressing than sitting through this movie. My recommendation would be to skip it in favor of a movie that’s not trying to be too smart for its audience.