The Gambler (2014 film)

Jim Bennett is a Los Angeles literature professor who uses gambling as a way of self-destruction. He ends up owing $200,000 to Lee, the proprietor of an exclusive, high-stakes underground gambling ring, and another $50,000 to Neville Baraka, a loan shark. Lee gives Jim seven days to pay off his debts or be murdered.

During one of his classes, Jim begins an awkward discussion of literary excellence using Shakespeare as an example, arguing how almost all aspiring writers fail to accomplish literary excellence. He singles out exemplary athletes in his class for discussion, including Dexter, an emerging tennis star. Jim later confronts a collegiate basketball star, Lamar Allen, who pays no attention in class but intends to play in the NBA.

Jim expresses his extremist view on achieving excellence in one's field or vocation: if you cannot be exemplary, he reasons, then you might as well not try. He tells them that only Amy Phillips, a quiet student, is capable of a career in literature. He identifies her as a potential writing prodigy based on her work in his class, as well as having previously encountered her working secretly as a waitress at the underground gambling house. They develop a mutual interest in each other.

After class, Jim visits his mother Roberta at the family's luxury estate, but she says that she will not give him any more money. Jim considers borrowing money from Frank, another loan shark, to consolidate his debts and buy himself some time, but refuses to do so when Frank first demands Jim admit, "I am not a man."

Jim convinces Roberta to give him enough to pay off his debts, expressing no gratitude, then gambles it all away in a casino with Amy. Neville kidnaps Jim, has him tied up and tortured, confronting him with an ultimatum—convince Lamar to win his college basketball semifinal by seven points or less, or he will kill Amy.

Jim goes to Frank, who advises him to change his version of a "fuck you" attitude towards life by getting enough money to build a safe house and make reliable low yield investments for protection against his severe gambling losses. Frank lends him $260,000 to pay his debt to Lee but also threatens to kill everyone in Jim's personal life if he is not repaid. Lee's men assault Jim when he comes to ask Lee to stake him $150,000, saying the only way he can pay the full $410,000 debt to Lee and Frank is to gamble and win.

Jim uses the $150,000 to bribe Lamar into doing the point shaving. He sends Dexter to Las Vegas to bet on the game with the $260,000 he got from Frank. Lamar succeeds, so Jim uses his winnings to pay his debt to Neville, denying he knows anything about the large bet made in Vegas. Jim then convinces both Lee and Frank to meet him in a neutral gambling den, where he wagers enough money to pay both men off—if he wins—on a single roulette spin. Successful, he leaves the money at the club for Lee and Frank saying, "I am not a gambler."

The payment to Frank is more than he owed; Frank finds Jim and offers to give back the "cream", but to Frank's amusement, Jim responds "Fuck you." On an apparent adrenaline rush, Jim runs miles through the city to arrive at Amy's apartment; he is broke, but free from debt.

{{cast list|

• Mark Wahlberg as Jim Bennett
• John Goodman as Frank "Little Frank"
• Brie Larson as Amy Phillips
• Michael K. Williams as Neville Baraka
• Jessica Lange as Roberta
• Andre Braugher as Dean Fuller
• Anthony Kelley as Lamar Allen
• Alvin Ing as Lee
• Domenick Lombardozzi as Ernie "Big Ernie"
• Emory Cohen as Dexter
• Steve Park as "Two"
• Leland Orser as Larry
• George Kennedy as Ed
• Norman Towns as Brodey
• Richard Schiff as Jeweler
• Lauren Weedman as Banker
• Natalija Ugrina as Masseuse
• Amin Joseph as Neville's bookkeeper
• Da'Vone McDonald as Neville's muscle
• James Wellington as Indian Casino Dealer
• Jessika Van as Sports Bar Waitress
• Sonya Walger as Angelina (uncredited)
• Priscilla Quintana as Casino Waitress (uncredited)
• Jacob Bertrand as Young Boy (uncredited)

}}

In August 2011, Paramount Pictures announced a remake of the 1974 film The Gambler with the original producers, Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff. Intended as a directorial project for Martin Scorsese, it was reported that Leonardo DiCaprio was attached as the star and William Monahan would write the screenplay.{{cite news | author = Mike Fleming | url = https://deadline.com/2011/08/leonardo-dicaprio-attached-to-the-gambler-remake-164107/ | title = Leonardo DiCaprio Attached To 'Gambler' Remake At Paramount With Martin Scorsese | work = Deadline Hollywood | date = 2011-08-26 | access-date = 2011-08-29}}

In a 2011 interview, screenwriter James Toback gave the autobiographical story of the original film's background and development, and criticized the idea of his film being remade.{{cite news | author = Nikki Finke | url = https://deadline.com/2011/08/james-toback-on-the-gambler-remake-rudeness-and-disrespect-164341/ | title = James Toback On 'The Gambler' Remake: "Not Possible… Rudeness And Disrespect" | work = Deadline Hollywood | date = 2011-08-28 | access-date = 2014-05-29}}

Scorsese left the project and filmmaker Todd Phillips was in talks to take over as of August 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/todd-phillips-the-gambler-direct-364093 |title=Todd Phillips in Talks to Direct First Drama 'The Gambler' (Exclusive) |date=August 20, 2012 |first1=Tatiana |last1=Siegel |first2=Borys |last2=Kit |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 10, 2015}} In September 2013, actor Mark Wahlberg and director Rupert Wyatt expressed interest in making the film.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/gambler-remake-mark-wahlberg-rupert-wyatt-paramount-584494/ |title=Mark Wahlberg And Rupert Wyatt Eyeing 'The Gambler' Remake For Paramount |date=September 11, 2013 |website=Deadline Hollywood |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |access-date=January 10, 2015}}

By October 17, 2013, Brie Larson was in talks to play the female lead role, alongside Wahlberg.{{cite news|last=Patten|first=Dominic|title=Brie Larson In Talks To Join Mark Wahlberg In Paramount Remake 'The Gambler'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/10/brie-larson-in-talks-to-join-mark-wahlberg-in-paramounts-the-gambler-remake-614217/|access-date=25 January 2014|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|date=17 October 2013}} On January 15, 2014, Emory Cohen joined the cast of the film, playing one of the professor's students.{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|title='Place Beyond the Pines' Actor Joining Mark Wahlberg in 'The Gambler'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/place-beyond-pines-actor-joining-671334|access-date=25 January 2014|newspaper=hollywoodreporter.com|date=15 January 2014}}

Shooting began on January 20, 2014.{{cite news|title='The Gambler', starring Mark Wahlberg, gearing up to begin filming in L.A.|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/01/17/the-gambler-starring-mark-wahlberg-gearing-up-to-begin-filming-in-l-a/|access-date=25 January 2014|newspaper=onlocationvacations.com|date=17 January 2014}} On February 3, 2014, Wahlberg was spotted on The Gambler set in Downtown Los Angeles.{{cite news|title=Mark Wahlberg Spotted on The Gambler Set|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=114386|access-date=28 February 2014|newspaper=comingsoon.net|date=4 February 2014}} On March 13, there was a basketball scene filmed in Los Angeles.{{cite news|title=Register now to be in 'The Gambler' with Mark Wahlberg!|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/02/27/register-now-to-be-in-the-gambler-with-mark-wahlberg/|access-date=28 February 2014|newspaper=onlocationvacations.com|date=27 February 2014}}

{{Main|The Gambler (soundtrack)}}

On September 8, 2014, it was announced that Jon Brion would be scoring the music for the film,{{cite news|title=Jon Brion to Score Rupert Wyatt's 'The Gambler'|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2014/09/08/jon-brion-to-score-rupert-wyatts-the-gambler/|access-date=October 31, 2014|publisher=filmmusicreporter.com|date=September 8, 2014}} while on October 27, Film Music Reporter revealed that Theo Green composed the score for the film.{{cite news|title=Theo Green Co-Scoring Rupert Wyatt's 'The Gambler'|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2014/10/27/theo-green-co-scoring-rupert-wyatts-the-gambler/|access-date=October 31, 2014|publisher=filmmusicreporter.com|date=October 27, 2014}} Republic Records released a soundtrack album for the film on December 16, which features songs from various artists.{{cite news|title='The Gambler' Soundtrack Released|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2014/12/15/the-gambler-soundtrack-released/|access-date=December 15, 2014|publisher=filmmusicreporter.com|date=December 15, 2014}}

The Gambler had its world premiere during the 2014 AFI Fest at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on November 10.{{cite news|last1=Hammond|first1=Pete|title=Mark Wahlberg's Oscar Hopeful 'The Gambler' Set For AFI Fest World Premiere|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/mark-wahlbergs-oscar-hopeful-the-gambler-set-for-afi-fest-world-premiere-november-10th-850424/|access-date=October 14, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=October 13, 2014}} Paramount previously set the film for a limited release in the United States on December 19, 2014, for an Oscar-qualifying run strategy, and planned to expand the film on January 1, 2015.{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title=Mark Wahlberg's 'The Gambler' Set for Awards-Season Run with December Release|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/mark-wahlberg-the-gambler-dec-19-release-1201299224/|access-date=September 6, 2014|publisher=variety.com|date=September 5, 2014}} But on December 5, Paramount announced the film would be released wide in cinemas on December 25, 2014, instead of the previous platform release plans.{{cite news|last1=Hipes|first1=Patrick|title='The Gambler' Release Date: Paramount All In, Moves It To Christmas Day Wide Bow|url=https://deadline.com/2014/12/the-gambler-release-date-paramount-all-in-moves-it-to-christmas-day-wide-bow-1201310864/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141207102159/http://deadline.com/2014/12/the-gambler-release-date-paramount-all-in-moves-it-to-christmas-day-wide-bow-1201310864/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2014|access-date=December 7, 2014|website= Deadline Hollywood |date=December 5, 2014}}

On October 22, 2014, the first teaser poster and red band trailer were released.{{cite news|title=Red Band Preview and Poster for The Gambler, Starring Mark Wahlberg|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124311|access-date=October 22, 2014|publisher=comingsoon.net|date=October 22, 2014}} On November 5, 2014, the green band trailer was released.{{cite news|title=The New Trailer for The Gambler, Starring Mark Wahlberg|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124795|publisher=comingsoon.net|date=November 5, 2014}}

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 44% based on 144 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Well-paced and reasonably entertaining in its own right, The Gambler still suffers from comparisons to the James Caan classic that inspired it."{{cite web | title= The Gambler (2014) | url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_gambler_2015 | work= Rotten Tomatoes | publisher= Fandango Media | access-date= January 3, 2021 }} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 55 out of 100, based on reviews from 40 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web | title= The Gambler Reviews | url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-gambler | work=Metacritic | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date= April 4, 2020 }} Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade C+ on scale of A to F.{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= GAMBLER, THE (2014) C+ |work= CinemaScore |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20 }}

Bilge Ebiri of Vulture wrote: "Wahlberg grows into the part. He may not be right as a precocious, self-loathing intellectual, but he's very much at home playing a dickhead who's gotten in too deep. And as The Gambler becomes less about its protagonist's dashed intellectualism and more about the gathering danger of his predicament, the film gains power."{{cite web |date=2014 |author1=Bilge |title=Mark Wahlberg Plays the Ultimate Buzzkill in The Gambler |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/movie-review-the-gambler.html |website=Vulture.com }}

Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter called it a slick and efficient remake, and "In nearly every scene, Wahlberg carries off the central role with what could be called determined elan."{{cite web |date=11 November 2014 |author=Todd McCarthy |title='The Gambler': AFI Fest Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/gambler-afi-fest-review-748065 |website=The Hollywood Reporter }}

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film two out of four stars, saying: "Wyatt keeps the action coming at a fast clip, but watching Jim repeatedly pursue a path of self-destruction for reasons never made clear grows wearying."{{cite magazine |date=30 December 2014 |last=Travers |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Travers |title='The Gambler' Movie Review |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-gambler-255575/ |magazine=Rolling Stone }}

Jessica Lange's performance has received critical acclaim. TheWrap wrote that Lange had one of her "meatiest film roles in ages."{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-gambler-review-mark-wahlberg-jessica-lange-john-goodman/ |title='The Gambler' Review: Mark Wahlberg Folds Despite a Jackpot of a Supporting Cast |website=TheWrap |date=November 11, 2014 |first=Alonso |last=Duralde |access-date=January 10, 2015}} The Huffington Post described her performance as "ferocious" and capable of "knocking down William Monahan's profanity laced dialogue with gleeful abandon"{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/09/best-supporting-actress-2015-oscars_n_6291256.html |title=One Of These 21 Women Will Probably Win Best Supporting Actress At The 2015 Oscars |website=The Huffington Post |date=December 9, 2014 |first1=Matthew |last1=Jacobs |first2=Christopher |last2=Rosen |access-date=January 10, 2015}} Also, the Boston Herald described her work as "strikingly memorable",{{cite news |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/movies/hollywood_mine/2014/11/who_supports_best |title=Who supports Best? |newspaper=Boston Herald |first=Stephen |last=Schaefer |date=November 20, 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2015}} which Newsday, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Indiewire have agreed with, terming her "affecting", "stirring", and "terrific".{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/afi-fest-review-the-gambler-starring-mark-wahlberg-john-goodman-brie-larson-and-michael-k-williams-20141111 |title=AFI Fest Review: 'The Gambler' Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson and Michael K. Williams |date=November 11, 2014 |first=Charlie |last=Schmidlin |website=Indiewire |access-date=January 10, 2015 |quote=a brief, affecting Jessica Lange}}{{cite news |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20141225_Movie_review___The_Gambler__wagers_big_on_talent_and_throws_it_all_away.html |title='The Gambler' wagers big on talent and loses |date=December 25, 2014 |first=Tirdad |last=Derakhshani |access-date=January 10, 2015 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |quote=Jessica Lange in a stirring, memorable turn}}{{cite news |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/the-gambler-review-low-on-action-and-tension-1.9740320 |title='The Gambler' review: Low on action and tension |newspaper=Newsday |first=Rafer |last=Guzman |date=December 23, 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2015 |quote=a terrific Jessica Lange}} James Berardinelli from ReelViews described her as "heartbreaking as the cold, rich widow who blames herself on some level for her son's failure."{{cite web |url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2847 |title=Gambler, The |first= James |last= Berardinelli |author-link= James Berardinelli |date=December 24, 2014 |website=ReelViews |access-date=January 10, 2015}} Chris Nashawaty from Entertainment Weekly lauded her acting as effortless by saying "[she] can do icy in her sleep..."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20883934,00.html |title=The Gambler (2014) |first=Chris |last=Nashawaty |date=December 25, 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2015 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=January 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105010220/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20883934,00.html |url-status=dead }} Rex Reed from The New York Observer described her performance as "hard" and "venomous".{{cite news |url=http://observer.com/2014/12/wrapping-up-the-year-in-film/ |title=Wrapping Up the Year in Film |newspaper=The New York Observer |first=Rex |last=Reed |author-link= Rex Reed |date=December 16, 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2015}} Peter Travers described her performance as "reliably superb". Jeff Baker from The Oregonian stated that her acting is "fierce".{{cite news |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2014/12/the_gambler_review_mark_wahlbe.html |title='The Gambler' review: Mark Wahlberg can't hold 'em or fold 'em |date=December 25, 2014 |first=Jeff |last=Baker |newspaper=The Oregonian |access-date=January 10, 2015}} Indiewire suggested Lange as a contender for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/oscar-buzz-who-could-be-set-for-nods-in-the-supporting-actress-race-20141021 |title=Oscar Buzz: Who Could Be Set For Nods In The Supporting Actress Race? |first=Oliver |last=Lyttelton |date=October 21, 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2015 |website=Indiewire |archive-date=February 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207231206/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/oscar-buzz-who-could-be-set-for-nods-in-the-supporting-actress-race-20141021 |url-status=dead }}

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.thegamblermovie.com/}}
• {{IMDb title|2039393|The Gambler}}

{{The Gambler}}

{{Rupert Wyatt}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gambler (2014 Film)}}

Category:2014 films

Category:2014 crime drama films

Category:2014 crime thriller films

Category:2010s American films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:American crime drama films

Category:American crime thriller films

Category:American films about gambling

Category:English-language crime drama films

Category:English-language crime thriller films

Category:Films based on Russian novels

Category:Films directed by Rupert Wyatt

Category:Films produced by Robert Chartoff

Category:Films produced by Irwin Winkler

Category:Films produced by Mark Wahlberg

Category:Films scored by Jon Brion

Category:Films scored by Theo Green

Category:Films with screenplays by William Monahan

Category:Films about sports betting

Category:Paramount Pictures films

Category:Remakes of American films