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The Gambler | Year: 1974 Classification: Drama Directed: - Karel Reisz Actors/Actresses: - James Caan - Paul Sorvino The Essence of Life is Risk James Caan is superb as a college professor obsessed with putting his money and his psyche on the line because of the rush he gets from gambling. In debt up to his ears, Caan wins the money he owes back only to lose it again in a bizarre roller coaster ride. As he tells his students, 2 plus 2 may equal 4, but he has the right to say that it may equal 5 tomorrow, if his will is strong enough. Caan's willingness to place himself at risk because he believes he can alter the outcome of events by force of will is linked to his study of Dostoevsky's The Gambler. His journey corrupts and alienates everyone around him as his own quest for purity remains intact. The viewer may find Caan's character insane and reckless, but the philosophy at the core of this thrilling psychological drama (written by James Toback) is one worth living. This is the only film I know of other than Hannah & Her Sisters by Woody Allen to use a quote from e.e. cummings. "FOR $10000.00 THEY BREAK YOUR ARMS... For $20,000.00 they break your legs. Axel Freed owes $44,000." I was captivated by the tag line of this lost jewell of the '70's, which stands alongside Karl Reisz' other forgotten masterwork of the decade (WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN?). James Caan radiates a brilliant character study of a degenerate gambler hellbent on self destruction, not only at the tables and back rooms, but in life. He throws away his birth rite to riches, his family, a beauty (Lauren Hutton in her first significant screen role). It's a road well traveled by the lost and Caan has it mastered. Great screenplay by James Toback, written immediately prior to his own lost marvel of the 1970's, FINGERS (1979). A sure thing A neglected and underrated masterpiece, presenting one of the most convincing and thorough psychological studies in all cinema. James Caan, in what may well be his best-ever performance, portrays a compulsive gambler with an unusually acute awareness of his own motivations. The 'back story', from which we learn how his family background helps feed his obsession, is subtly and convincingly portrayed. The whole is a tragedy, laced with grim humor. The score uses Mahler's music to great effect, the direction is tight and closely focused throughout and the final scene can only be described as perfection. Buy The Gambler at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Gambler Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Gambler This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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