Rounders
Published May 11, 2022
Film info
- Title Rounders
- Director John Dahl
- Year 1998
- Run time 2hrs 1m
- Genres Crime, Drama
- Tagline Trust everyone... but always cut the cards
After losing a high-stakes card game, Mike gives up gambling for law school and a fresh start with his girlfriend. But then his best buddy gets out of prison and in over his head with a ruthless card shark. From there, Mike's strong sense of loyalty - and the lure of the game - draw him back to the tables in a game he cannot afford to lose!
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 1:23 | “If you can’t spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, you are the sucker.” |
| 5:23 | I wonder how many films will have to explain poker to me before I actually get it. |
| 19:11 | “I can’t believe you still know someone called Worm.” |
| 23:09 | Love the ace tattoo up the sleeve. |
| 32:30 | “The computer tried to delete you last week…” sounds kinda menacing. |
| 37:50 | Luka! |
| 42:32 | “You lost everything but at least you never lied.” |
| 51:50 | Wisdom of the elders. |
| 54:43 | They don’t seem to sleep a lot, these two. |
| 1:06:23 | This worm guy is the worst. |
| 1:14:40 | How was he making the card boomerang back to him like that? |
| 1:21:44 | Oh, he did at least go to the bowling alley… |
| 1:35:19 | Taking down the champ will give you excessive confidence. |
| 1:41:58 | Is he the inspiration for the Tracksuit Mafia? |
| 1:52:48 | “I’m how I am.” Not a very good answer. |
Thoughts
This is a really good movie, I think it’s trying to be a bit clever and I’m not sure it lives up to its own hype, but very entertaining along the way. Matt Damon is really good, naturally, and Ed Norton does a great job being a guy you love to hate. The only two downsides to this movie are that a) it assumes knowledge of poker, although even the bits they did explain I will never understand anyway and b) John Malkovich’s insane accent. What went into the choices behind that voice?? But otherwise, very good and the kind of film that makes you want to go to Las Vegas just to try your luck.
Rating: 4 / 5