The player
“The Gambler” is a 2014 American crime drama film directed by Rupert Wyatt and features a star-studded cast including Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael K. Williams and Jessica Lange. The screenplay, written by William Monahan, is based on the 1974 film of the same name by James Toback, which in turn was inspired by the novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Mark Wahlberg takes on the role of the title character in this new version, which premiered on November 10, 2014 at the AFI Fest and hit theaters in the United States on December 25, 2014. The story revolves around the world of high risk bets. and follows Wahlberg’s character as he navigates through it. The film’s running time is 111 minutes and it received both critical and commercial attention.
Notably, “The Gambler” showcases the final on-screen performance of George Kennedy, who passed away in 2016. Greig Fraser provided the cinematography and the music was composed by Theo Green and Jon Brion. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film explores themes of risk, consequences and the appeal of the gambling lifestyle in the context of crime drama.
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The Player’s Ending Explained
“The Gambler” concludes with an anticlimactic resolution, which deviates from the traditional tension-filled endings associated with gambling dramas. Mark Wahlberg’s character, Jim Bennett, faces mounting debts and dangerous situations throughout the film, but the ending lacks a credible threat or genuine consequences for his reckless actions. The film attempts to instill a sense of existentialism, tying Jim’s behavior to the literature he teaches, but falls short of creating a compelling narrative.
The confrontations between Jim and other characters play out like lessons in an ’80s sitcom, without the intensity one would expect in a story centered on a world of high-stakes gambling. Despite borrowing money from sinister figures played by John Goodman, Michael K. Williams and Alvin Ing, Jim’s escapes seem predetermined, diluting any potential for suspense. Even when faced with physical confrontations, the lack of credible danger leaves viewers feeling that Jim will emerge unscathed.
The film’s unconventional approach to its conclusion, marked by the absence of genuine threats and failure to impart consequences, results in a resolution that feels underwhelming and disconnected from the harsh reality typically associated with gambling dramas. The lack of credible stakes undermines the intended drama, leaving the audience with a protagonist who seems unaffected by the risks he takes.
The Player Cast
Here is a tabular column listing the main cast of “The Gambler”:
Cast |
Character |
|
Mark Wahlberg |
Jim Bennett |
|
John Goodman |
Frank “Little Frank” |
|
Brie Larson |
Amy Phillips |
|
Michael Williams |
Neville Baraka |
|
Jessica Lange |
Roberta |
|
Andre Braugher |
Dean Fuller |
|
Antonio Kelley |
Lamar Allen |
|
Alvin Ing |
Leeward |
|
Domenico Lombardozzi |
Ernie “Big Ernie” |
|
Emory Cohen |
Right handed |
|
steve park |
“Two” |
|
Leland Orser |
Larry |
|
George Kennedy |
ed |
|
James Wellington |
Indian casino dealer |
The player’s plot
“The Gambler” follows the story of Jim Bennett, a Los Angeles literature professor who has a dangerous gambling addiction and uses it as a form of self-destruction. Jim finds himself in serious trouble when he racks up debts of $200,000 to Lee, the owner of an underground gambling ring, and an additional $50,000 to a loan shark named Neville Baraka.
Faced with an ultimatum from Lee that puts his life in danger, Jim has seven days to get the money or face dire consequences. Meanwhile, in his literature class, Jim expresses his extreme views on how to achieve excellence, singling out a quiet student named Amy Phillips as a potential writing prodigy. Unbeknownst to Jim, Amy also works as a waitress at the underground gambling house.
As Jim’s financial situation worsens, he attempts to borrow money from various sources, but refuses to compromise his pride. Desperate, he seeks help from Frank, another loan shark, who lends him $260,000, threatening Jim’s personal life if he does not pay. In a risky move, Jim uses the money to rig a college basketball game, hoping to win enough to pay off his debts.
Tension rises when Jim arranges a high-stakes bet involving Lee, Frank and a roulette wheel at a neutral gambling den. Miraculously, Jim wins, pays off both men and declares, “I’m not a gambler.” The film concludes with Jim, bankrupt but freed from his debt, running to Amy’s apartment, symbolizing a new sense of freedom.
Where to watch The Player?
You can watch “The Gambler” by renting or purchasing it on popular streaming platforms like Apple TV or Amazon Video. Simply visit these platforms and you will have the option to stream the movie for a rental fee or purchase it for permanent access. Enjoy the intense drama starring Mark Wahlberg as Jim Bennett, navigating the world of high-stakes gambling to pay off his debts. Whether you choose Apple TV or Amazon Video, you can easily access the movie to enjoy it.
The player trailer
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