This movie is so slow. It requires tons of patience. And on top of that, so many parts are weird. Like why two guys who don't know each other would go on a cross-country trip together. Or why we need an unnecessary and awkward romance side plot. Or why Tiffany Haddish keeps getting roles.
My only positives are Oscar Isaac's performance and the directing/cinematography in a bunch of cool shots. (1 viewing, 2/6/2022)
The Card Counter
2021
Action / Crime / Drama / Thriller
Plot summary
The film, written and directed by Schrader, follows William Tell (Oscar Isaac),a gambler and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past. Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk, a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a retired military major. Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk. Gaining backing from mysterious gambling financier La Linda, Tell takes Cirk with him on the road, going from casino to casino until the unlikely trio set their sights on winning the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. But keeping Cirk on the straight-and-narrow proves impossible, dragging Tell back into the darkness of his past.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
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Boring and weird
Decent Gambling Life Portrayal - The Card Counter
I thought this film was going to be about a blackjack player, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was more of a Texas Hold'em experience. The film was directed by the talented Paul Schrader and stars Oscar Issac as the gambler. It also features Willem Dafoe in a cameo. The Dafoe character is very shallow, and we have no idea about how he became the person he was. However, the character exploration of William is much better. Two other characters are also featured; Tiffany Hadish as La Linda, the romantic interest for William, and. Tye Sheridan as Cirk (as in jerk). Too much Abu Gharib torture crap and not enough pyscho-poker. At times, vaguely reminiscent of Taxi Driver due to the driven personalities of the similar protagonists, but Taxi Driver far more effective. A decent take on the miserable, lonely, depressing, and meaningless existence of gamblers, and how casinos are not exciting and fun places to be; they are quite the opposite. Family is far more important.
A movie about nothing...
Seriously, it's an ideal example of movie about nothing.