REVIEW: ROUNDERS (1998)
by Chris Webb copyright 1998
Cast: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, John Malkovich, Martin Landau, Gretchen Mol. directed by John Dahl.
Before Matt Damon became "Ooh, Matt Damon!" he was a young actor just looking for work. It wasn't until "Courage Under Fire" that he really gained notice for his acting ability. His performance in a small, though pivotal role, caught the eye of Steven Spielberg, who gave him the title role in this summer's "Saving Private Ryan." At the same time, "Good Will Hunting" turned Damon into a superstar, sex symbol, and double Oscar nominee.
Going to "Rounders," I wanted to see if we would get Matt Damon the actor, or Matt Damon the super-glossy star. And what we find is a little bit of both. Matt Damon the star is on screen as Matt Damon the actor tries to portray Mike McDermott, a high stakes poker player and law student. This is slightly distracting when watching the film, but a good mix for attracting audiences.
McDermott is conveniently at a crossroads in every aspect of his life from the start of the film. He loses thirty grand in one hand against Teddy KGB (John Malkovich), an underground poker club owner with connections to the Russian mafia. This throws McDermott into a tailspin and he decides to become legitimate, which suits live-in law school girlfriend Jo (relative unknown Gretchen Mol).
Around the same time, McDermott's best friend from childhood, Worm (Edward Norton), is coming out of jail. Worm hustles and cheats his way through poker, the antithesis to Mike's considerable skill. This singleminded movie focuses on Worm's bringing Mike back into underground poker and the deterioration of his non-gambling life.
First-time feature writers David Levien and Brian Koppelman have come up with a witty script. But the inside world of poker and the one-track storyline make for a pretty slow two hours. Mike's relationship with Jo is an underdeveloped afterthought. Jo's protests about Mike's gambling come off as whiny and do not ring with the impending heartbreak that one might expect from a couple breaking up. Once Jo leaves the apartment, she almost vanishes from the film. Its not the point of Rounders anyway to go deeply into this relationship - rather Mike's struggle between his two senses of self takes center stage.
Martin Landau, playing not-so-coincidentally a professor who also struggled between becoming a rabbi or following his true calling to teach law, arrives just in time to assist Mike in his choice. Wondering what path he chooses? Well, I'll just tell you this is not a John Grisham movie.
By this point, Worm has dragged him so far down back into the poker world that Mike has to take on Worm's debts. They need to raise fifteen thousand bucks in five days. Worm, of course, sabotages the plan with his hustling resulting in a showdown between Mike and Teddy KGB in a winner-take-all game.
Rounders has the feel of 1940s and 50s crime films with Matt Damon voicing-over a narration throughout. Director John Dahl (Unforgettable) never lets us forget the stark dreariness of the underground with cold blues and blacks dominating his palate. All in all, it's a pretty well acted movie, as well.
Many movies that are full of Academy Award nominees and winners (like 1996's Marvin's Room) tend not to live up to the hype. With Malkovich, Norton, Landau, and Damon, Rounders has quite the pedigree. Malkovich (In the Line of Fire) commands respect on screen as his very presence should strike fear in those dealing with him. His role is small, but his convincing Russian accent keeps him interesting. Norton (Primal Fear) is his twitchy self, while Landau (Ed Wood) deserves more time than his three to four conversations.
The treasure of Rounders is found in John Turturro, who can play quirky in Coen brothers' films or straight in such fare as Quiz Show. Turturro plays Kinish, Mike's mentor if Mike will ever listen. Kinish has the skill to play with the best, but does not look for the glory of victory. He earns his living legitimately driving a truck. His winnings pay alimony and child support.
It is difficult to decide whether Mike is a gambling addict who needs help or a skilled player hungry for his dream to play in the World Series of Poker on ESPN. He wins without cheating, can tell everyone's hand after just entering a room (playing blind, as they say), and uses his biggest challenges for bluffing practice. In the process, though, he loses his girlfriend, quits law school, gets beaten up severely, and plays compulsively. His addiction fuels the pursuit of the dream. Mike plays for the glory, the excessive amounts of money are necessary for him to be able to play. It's a tightrope Mike walks throughout Rounders, and quite shakily at that.
Matt Damon walks the same tightrope in his first major role since "Good Will Hunting." It will be interesting to see if his considerable acting abilities will ever again be able to outshine the star status the world has placed on him.
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