The Gambler (2014)
Certified: 15
Duration: 111 minutes
Directed by: Rupert Wyatt
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael K. Williams, Jessica Lange, Anthony Kelley, Alvin Ing
KRS Releasing Ltd

Directed by Rupert Wyatt, fresh off his very successful Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Gambler is a successful remake of a classic movie. At some moments, it emulates the original but it also decides to gamble and walk its own path.

The 1974 version had the charismatic presence of James Caan in the main role, giving the film its necessary muscle and backbone. This is something that the modern version accomplishes in a very different manner with Mark Wahlberg, who brings a strong physical focal point to the film.

Wahlberg plays English literature professor Jim Bennett, who is in deep trouble due to his gambling addiction. He does have his lucky moments when playing the roulette or blackjack, but he has no brakes at all. When he starts winning, he continues to gamble, and thus sinks himself into even more debt. He owes $240,000 to Mr Lee (Alvin Ing), who has an underground gambling group. Amy (Brie Larson), one of Jim’s students, is a waitress at one of these gambling establishments.

Jim does not act wisely, even though he tries to give his students all the possible street wisdom and life knowledge. His students include Lamar Allen (Anthony Kelley), who is about to become a professional basketball player, and Dexter (Emory Cohen), a top tennis player.

He manages to get $50,000 more from a new source: Neville Baraka (Michael K. Williams), a very dangerous loan shark. Then there is Frank (John Goodman), who is as dangerous as they come, a mobster who advises him not to borrow money from him if he cannot deal with the consequences.

Time is against him and Jim turns to his mother Roberta (Jessica Lange) for money. She is not happy about this as she knowsJim will end up wasting the money.

There is no stopping Jim and with Amy in tow, he gambles more money in order to solve the conundrum he is in.

The first thing that struck me in The Gambler was how gorgeous the film looks. Cinematographer Greig Fraser provides the perfect colour palette that gives the film its moods and nuances. He gives the film a particular sheen that makes it quite a seductive viewing experience.

Wahlberg in the central performance does not try to emulate Caan, as he knows that he cannot be as enigmatic, but he handles his role with relish and delivers a juicy, masochistic screen turnout that provides the film with a central purposeful core. This is essential, especially seeing that the film is a remake and it’s not like it’s anything that we have never seen, but it’s an intense performance that gives the film strong talons with which to carry its audience.

Lange is simply perfect as she exudes class, Goodman as the king of the bad guys is simply fantastic as his every word drips with character and menace. Larson is there to look cute, and she does this well enough.

The cast is given the benefit of a splendid script with words that are layered with meaning and sensibilities.

With each frame, we get caught more and more in this feeling of threatening danger, something that The Gambler never gambles with but delivers with an assured hand.

Angelina Jolie in Maleficent.

KRS Releasing Ltd top 10 films 2014

1. Maleficent (3D)
2. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (3D)
3. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (3D)
4. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (3D)
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
6. Guardians of the Galaxy (3D)
7. Noah
8. Paddington
9. Rio 2 (3D)
10. 22 Jump Street