I don't know what this movie was about. I only watched it because it had a great cast and director. I went into it knowing nothing of the plot or story.
From the opening scene, I knew pretty much where the story was going. Older, more savvy gambler takes young guy under his wing and teaches him the "tricks of the trade". At some point there's going to be a double cross and things go south. It was all there. Only, it wasn't, and it didn't.
What followed was a slow burn character study in which every one of my assumptions slowly fell apart.
I will be honest, I still do not know what the movie is about. In the opening scene the maverick gambler mentions having two adult children he "hasn't seen in years". This is a passing remark not related to the story in any way. However, I couldn't help but get the feeling that he was trying to atone for missing out on their lives. What I initially perceived as manipulation on his part-he seemed far to nice to not have altererior motives-in the end turns out to be, though imperfect, simply fatherly love.
The movie intentionally doesn't spell ANYTHING out for the audience. It's all up to you to figure out. By the end of the movie I was honestly wondering, "what's the point?" But I think THATS the point. You don't walk away NOT THINKING. To me it's a story of imperfect individuals atoning for iniquities-perceived or otherwise- that they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.
Maybe I'm wrong and I missed the point completely. But I think, somewhere deep in the subtext of this often restrained scrip is the message of a man looking for forgiveness. I won't spoil anything more but I highly recommend the movie. Enjoy!
From the opening scene, I knew pretty much where the story was going. Older, more savvy gambler takes young guy under his wing and teaches him the "tricks of the trade". At some point there's going to be a double cross and things go south. It was all there. Only, it wasn't, and it didn't.
What followed was a slow burn character study in which every one of my assumptions slowly fell apart.
I will be honest, I still do not know what the movie is about. In the opening scene the maverick gambler mentions having two adult children he "hasn't seen in years". This is a passing remark not related to the story in any way. However, I couldn't help but get the feeling that he was trying to atone for missing out on their lives. What I initially perceived as manipulation on his part-he seemed far to nice to not have altererior motives-in the end turns out to be, though imperfect, simply fatherly love.
The movie intentionally doesn't spell ANYTHING out for the audience. It's all up to you to figure out. By the end of the movie I was honestly wondering, "what's the point?" But I think THATS the point. You don't walk away NOT THINKING. To me it's a story of imperfect individuals atoning for iniquities-perceived or otherwise- that they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.
Maybe I'm wrong and I missed the point completely. But I think, somewhere deep in the subtext of this often restrained scrip is the message of a man looking for forgiveness. I won't spoil anything more but I highly recommend the movie. Enjoy!