This character study about a man with a severe gambling addiction continues to prove that Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of the best actors working today. Based on a true story about a bank employee who took his employer for $10.2 million, Hoffman sinks into this role completely. He never goes for effect, because like any addict his highs are muted by his addiction. It takes a bigger and bigger risk to even get him to blink.
Hoffman's Dan Mahowny is determined that if he gambles long enough he will be able to pay back all his debts, which he has accrued from gambling. At the bank he is promoted to assistant manager in charge of loans, which he starts making out to himself. His unassuming appearance and nerdy charm allow him to cover up his deceptions. But his gambling has gotten so bad that his bookie Frank (Maury Chaykin, HOSTAGE) cuts him off, because Mahowny starts making impulsive bets just to place a bet. Even bookies have to draw a line on how much they'll take someone for their money. Mahowny has a girlfriend named Belinda (Minnie Driver, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS), who worries and really cares about him, but when he invites her to Vegas with him she finally can't overlook his erratic behavior.
Another acting highlight comes from John Hurt (THE ELEPHANT MAN) as Victor Foss, the owner of the Atlantic City casino that Mahowny frequents. He’s abrasive and manipulative – perfect for the owner of a casino. Keenly attune to compulsive gamblers, Foss zeroes in on Mahowny the moment he arrives. He tries to lavish Mahowny with penthouse suites, fine meals and Pointer Sister tickets, but Mahowny only wants to gamble. Foss can hardly control his joy. The weakest part of the film is why Belinda cares about Mahowny. We never see them together before his gambling starts to really spiral out of control. Driver's Belinda is frumpish, but not the kind of girl who seems so desperate that she wouldn't demand at least something from their one-sided relationship.
Outside of that one flaw, the film has a wonderful built-in tension formed by wondering just how far Mahowny will go into debt before he gets caught. Mahowny knows deep down that he's going to get caught, but it's the sliver of hope that he will work it out that drives him to continue. Just one more hand is no different from just one more hit. His reaction at the climax says a lot about his real personality that's been drowned out by his addiction. This is a solid piece of cinema, anchored by great subtle performances.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
