Lit professor and gambler Jim Bennett's debt causes him to borrow money from his mother and a loan shark. Further complicating his situation is his relationship with one of his students. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance? (www.imdb.com)
Director: Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams
As entertaining as The Gambler can be, there's only so many times Jim (Mark Wahlberg) can play and lose big money on black jack before patience is lost. Addiction, whether it's alcohol, drugs or gambling, can be a disapproving, cold subject with judgements being made on the person abusing them. Jim knows full well he's addict. Wahlberg's a convincing gambler, but less so as the vibrant English teacher with enough corn to harvest. Jim ambles on, infuriating the wrong people, especially those closest to him. Brie Larson carries the expands the story somewhat with her incomprehensible liking for Jim, but others, including mob bosses John Goodman and Michael Kenneth Williams, talk the talk but don't walk the walk. There's room for Jim to play bad guy and none whatsoever for redemption.
2.5/5
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