The Gambler (2014): Movie Review

Director Rupert Wyatt’s (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) “The Gambler” is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name, which starred James Caan. In the new version, Mark Wahlberg is the lead and unfortunately, he is the weakest link. With someone else cast in the lead (James McAvoy would have been perfect), I believe that “The Gambler” could have been much more powerful. I just could not buy Wahlberg as a College English professor with a crippling gambling addiction.

Jim Bennett (Whalberg) is in some serious trouble. He not only owes gambling ring operator Mister Lee (Alvin Ing) money, but also gangster Neville Baraka (Michael Kenneth Williams). Between the two, Jim is in $260,000 deep. Even with the eventual health issues that will come from the result of owing all that money with no way to pay it back, Jim finds time to develop a relationship with Amy (Brie Larson) one of his English students who has seen him in his double-life.

“The Gambler” is actually a pretty decent movie and the supporting cast, which also includes Jessica Lang and John Goodman are all terrific. It is Wahlberg alone that keeps it from elevating more than something that is just good. Wyatt delivers the perfect tone and this is William Monahan’s best writing since 2006’s “The Departed”. Although my issues are with the lead casting, “The Gambler” is still worth gambling on if you are looking for some solid entertainment this holiday season.

By: Marc Ferman