Director: John Dahl
Starring: Matt Damon, Edward Norton and John Turturro
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have achieved recognition of Matt Damon. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Damon has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, gifted janitors or soldiers, Damon has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Damon’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has always had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Damon has always left a lasting impression. Through his capability to portray characters that are engaging, Damon has created a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his iconic role as Bourne in the spy franchise, Damon has proven that he can make engaging movies in every single genre. Throughout his career, Damon has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Damon and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Rounders” is definitely his most underrated work. Released in 1998, John Dahl’s movie offered a powerful portrait of poker players. Packed with breathtaking visuals, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about poker. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Matt Damon, who embodies a powerful poker player that faces tension. Ultimately, what makes “Rounders” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about poker, it tackles powerful themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about gambling, there are several reasons why “Rounders” is a commemorated movie worth watching.
“Rounders” tells the story of a poker player that faces disasters. Matt Damon embodies Mike McDermott, a notorious poker player with a gambling addiction. Mike has always gotten away with gambling without facing a price to pay. However, Mike’s life drastically changed when he discovers the grim reality of being a famous poker player. Assisted by his longtime friend Lester Murphy (Edward Norton), Mike embarks on a journey to find success in a tough profession. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Mike begins to wonder whether it’s possible for his to be a successful gambler.
John Dahl is fascinated with the stories of gambling addicts. A fantastic filmmaker, Dahl has often made engaging films about gamblers facing disaster. With “Rounders”, however, Dahl made his first ever film about poker players. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the tensions faced by poker players experiencing adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Dahl captures a poker player embarking on a journey to find his identity. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Colour of Money”, Dahl expertly uses point of view shots to capture the lives of gamblers that face tragedy. For instance, POV shots enhance the poker game scene. During this intense scene, Mike participates in a poker game causing tension. Through stunning POV shots, Dahl creates a portrait of poker which is compelling. POV shots are complex techniques. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” claimed, POV shots elevate war movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Using stunning visuals, Dahl captures hardships which poker players are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Rounders” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Inspired by Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven”, Dahl efficiently employs the settings of casinos to capture tensions that gamblers are facing. For instance, the setting of the casino elevates the gambling scene. During this intense scene, Mike has a gambler competition in casinos that causes tension. Using casino settings, Dahl creates a bold portrait of gambling that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Christopher Young’s music is key toward the success of the movie. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that gamblers bear. Through riveting production, Dahl crafts a powerful portrait of gambling addiction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Rounders” is a film about gambling that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tension that poker players are facing. For instance, silence elevates the poker game consequences scene. During this intense scene, Mike discovers the consequences of playing poker after he loses a huge game. Through silence, Dahl creates a portrait of poker that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” proved that silence enhances coming of age films. Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” suggested that silence enhances science fiction films about survival. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an excellent screenplay, Dahl captures the lives of poker players that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Matt Damon delivers one of his best career performances as Mike McDermott. Damon first earned recognition for playing troubled teenagers in classic coming of age movies. With “Rounders”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a poker player that experiences adversity but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, courage and intelligence of a poker player. It’s a powerful performance by one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Damon, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of appreciation. Edward Norton is excellent, capturing the dedication of a poker player that seeks success in intense competition. John Turturro is tremendous, capturing the sorrow of a gambler facing consequences of addiction that cause his life to hit a low. Lastly, John Malkovich is unforgettable. As a gambling gangster, he brings menace to the movie.
Finally, “Rounders” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing pressures that are faced by poker players. Unlike most films about gambling, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including ambition, mental heath and competitions which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Thus, “Rounders” is one of those rare movies about gamblers that will satisfy all viewers.
Fans of Matt Damon would absolutely enjoy “Rounders” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting gambling drama, it celebrates an actor that has charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about poker players showing strong dedication to professions that face barriers, it’s a powerful reminder about an iconic actor that has created a successful career though his capability to portray compelling characters in films that commonly attract audiences towards the theatres.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 