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The Gambler
2014 111 min United States of America R 18+
★5.9
Thriller, Crime, Drama
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Trailers
EN
Teaser
Description
Literature professor Jim Bennett leads a secret life as a high-stakes gambler. Always a risk-taker, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster and offers his own life as collateral. Staying one step ahead, he pits his creditor against the operator of an illicit gambling ring while garnering the attention of Frank, a paternalistic loan shark. As his relationship with a student deepens, Bennett must risk everything for a second chance.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$33.68M
Worldwide:
$39.17M
Starring
Mark Wahlberg
Actor
Jessica Lange
Actor
John Goodman
Actor
Awards
1 win & 3 nominations total
Key opinion
The Gambler is a polarizing drama that prioritizes philosophical exploration and character study over traditional thriller tropes. While audiences and critics are split on the protagonist's depth and the film's overall impact, many praise the strong supporting performances and atmospheric direction.
| Acting | Supporting performances from Jessica Lange and John Goodman provide gravitas and memorable depth to the ensemble cast. | |
| Cinematography | The film features a stylish, evocative atmosphere that captures the tension of the gambling world through refined cinematography and music. | |
| Acting | Mark Wahlberg’s performance is a major point of contention, with some viewers finding him compellingly dramatic and others seeing the character as unengaging or stereotypical. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is praised for its sharp, literary dialogue, though critics argue it often feels superficial or fails to provide a nuanced understanding of gambling addiction. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing vary, as the deliberate, dialogue-heavy tempo rewards patient viewers while others find the film feels padded or exhausting. |