Categories: Movie Reviews

The Gambler- Blu-Ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jim Milton

Synopsis

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. His compulsion to risk it all may just cost him his life. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance?

Specifications

Paramount
2015, Color, Rated R, 1 Hr 40 mins
Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, John Goodman and Anthony Kelly
Directed by Rupert Wyatt

Rating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Violence: Yes
Sex: Mild
Language: Yes

Commentary

Bennett (Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother in his wake. I could not decide if Bennett was suicidal or not, but he certainly did not seem to exhibit the characteristics of a compulsive gambler. The movie was a slow burner leading up to the big final “bet it all on black” at the roulette table. Unfortunately, there was no big pay out at the end. He manages to pay off the $260K debt he owes to a loan shark and a mob boss, but his future relationship with his mother (whom he dislikes, but take lots of money from) and college student girl friend are left up in the air. I just couldn’t get under his skin. What drove him to gamble recklessly and why was he so unconcerned with mounting debt that could ultimately cost him his life? There were just too many unanswered questions at the end of this one. I know some critics called this the “best Wahlberg movie ever”….but after coming off of a Transformer movie, I’m not sure that it’s a compliment.

Technical

Picture quality was OK, but not amazing demo quality. Some of the darker scenes exhibited crushing of details. There is one scene in particular, when he talks to his student GF that the shadow under his chin took on a distinct greenish hue and looked very un-natural. The sound is good, but nothing ever really gets going in the surrounds and the sub sleeps throughout most of the film. The sound is DD 5.1 too, by the way.

Extras

Bonus features include Mr. Self-Destruction, Dark Before the Dawn, Changing the Game, In the City, Dressing the Players, deleted and extended scenes, a digital copy and DVD.

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."