Movie Guys: Dealing out disagreements over poker-faced ‘Rounders’

Friday, Sept. 11, 1998 | 9:35 a.m.

* Grades: Jeff, D; Dave, B-.

* Starring: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol, Martin Landau, John Malkovich and John Turturro.

* Director: John Dahl.

* Screenplay: David Levien and Brain Koppelman.

* Rated: R for profanity, mild violence, adult themes.

* Running time: 119 minutes.

* Playing at: Rancho Santa Fe 16, Gold Coast Twin, Cinedome 12 Henderson, Regal Cinemas Boulder Station.

* Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of New York's high-stakes, underground poker world, "Rounders" is the tale of Mike McDermott, a master card player who trades the poker-playing ways for a shot at a new life.

Jeff:

Before heading out to see "Rounders," starring new-kid-on-the-block heartthrob Matt Damon, be sure to stop by the Gamblers Bookstore on East Charleston Boulevard to pick up a how-to book on the fundamentals of playing poker. Trust me, you'll need it. This isn't poker with the guys on Saturday night in mom's basement. I wasn't lucky enough to have such a handy guide to help me navigate the cigar-filled, seedy underground world of high-stakes poker. "Rounders" reminded me of the time I first saw David Lynch's "Dune" -- the theater actually distributed a sheet of glossary terms to patrons before the film started in order to help the audience understand the cosmic vocabulary during the movie. No such luck with "Rounders." I was definitely lost.

Dave:

Leave it to Jeff to over-exaggerate the use of terminology exchanged between the various shady characters in this interesting, yet predictable drama. Granted, the poker terms that are used during the many games, and the back-street talk, can be a tad confusing at times, but nothing that will have you at a loss as to the chain of events. Even the film's title is a reference to "a player who knows all the angles and earns his living at the poker table." Take "The Hustler" or "The Color of Money," for example: With all the hip lingo and diverse slang used throughout the movie, you never once asked yourself, "What's going on?" If anything, "Rounders" will have you applying the poker jargon at your next card night or at the high-roller's table on the Strip.

Jeff:

Jargon? Dave, it's a whole new language. I needed subtitles. As for the chain of events (most of which is told through the annoying and vacant narration by Damon's character, Mike McDermott), the boredom begins with Mike losing $30,000 on the biggest poker bet of his life. Now on the road to recovery, things begin to fall apart when his best pal Worm (Edward Norton) is released from prison. Mike falls off the gambling wagon and dives headfirst back into big-stakes poker. Mike is obsessed with poker. Sure, he may claim his playing is a gift from God, but is it art or addiction? He plays in every kind of game, from back-alley establishments all the way to the big room at an Atlantic City casino. Worm is at the center of this evil, and his destructive influence costs Mike everything he has worked so hard for -- his law degree, his relationship with Jo (Gretchen Mol) -- and, in his wake, leaves Mike an empty, soulless shell.

Dave:

The film features an impressive supporting cast that would complement any film. John Turturro, who always brings passion to every big or small role he plays, acts as Mike's faithful mentor as he tries to guide him though the underworld poker scene. Then there is the brief father-figure in Martin Landau as the sympathetic dean of the law school Mike attends. The best advice comes during a drink the two share, as Mike realizes his place in life may not lie with the legal profession.

As Landau describes his trials and tribulations with his family when he opted for the law over becoming a rabbi, Damon's character learns that his character must pursue his own passions in life, no matter the cost. Then, of course, there is the always reliable John Malkovich, who has made himself a veteran of villainous characters.

Jeff:

All dead-end subplots, Dave, none of which were fully developed. Everything you just described -- Mike's relationship with Jo; the touch-and-go relationship with his mentor, played by Turturro; and the relationship with the understanding law professor -- all underdeveloped. The film instead centers around poker game after poker game that always end with Worm and Mike getting beaten up. Hey, let's not forget the same argument that ensues after each game, too: "Worm! What are you doing in there! What's wrong with you?" Mike shouts after each game. It gets so repetitive. How many chances does Mike have to give Worm before he winds up dead? Why does he stay with Worm? Beats me.

Then the anti-climatic ending in which Mike has the "showdown" poker game with Malkovich's Oreo-twisting character, named Teddy KGB. Malkovich sports the worst Russian accent. Mike is playing for his life this time -- the highest stakes he's ever played for. I was really worried -- Not! Mike deserved what he had coming to him. I've seen better poker games with Mel Gibson in "Maverick." Shallow, self-destructive characters who don't change and show no remorse make "Rounders" the dullest game in town. I fold.

Dave:

You know what Jeff's problem is, folks? He counted his money while sittin' at the table. He should know as a film critic that there'll be time enough for counting when the dealing's done. Or, in this case, when the film's credits end. Instead of allowing himself to get involved with the unique exposure to an otherwise unfamiliar world known as the poker scene, he couldn't enjoy the thrill of the game and the interesting, yet predictable drama that makes up "Rounders."

Jeff:

Folks, you know we're in serious trouble when Dave starts to quote Kenny Rogers!

MOVIE BUZZA

Groovy, Robbie!:

Actor and videotape star Rob Lowe is going to "bee-have" when he joins Mike Myers in the sequel to "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." The new film, titled "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," is set to begin shooting in November for release in June. Heather Graham ("Lost in Space") will replace Elizabeth Hurley as Powers' shagadelic love interest. Jay Roach returns as director.

Hollywood Hears a Who:

Big-screen rights for the Dr. Seuss holiday classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," will be auctioned off soon. The writer's widow, Audrey Geisel, will be looking at bids and listening to pitches from several studios. New Line Cinema, 20th Century Fox and Universal are said to be interested in making a live-action version of "Grinch."

3-D thrills:

"Goosebumps" author R.L. Stine is bringing his thriller, "The Beast," to the big screen -- the really big screen! The IMAX Corporation plans to develop a 3-D, large-format adaptation of Stine's novel. "The Beast" will run about 40 minutes, typical of IMAX 3-D films. The plot concerns a young boy and his cousin who are transported back in time, after a midnight ride on "The Beast," the legendary roller coaster at Paramount Park's King's Island.

NAME THAT FLICK

We had a flood of calls for last week's quote: "I once stood exposed to the dragon's breath so that a man could lie one night with a woman. It took me nine months to recover. And all for this lunacy called love. This mad distemper that strikes down both beggar and king. Never again! Our phone lines were filled to capacity this week. Everyone who called was correct, but it was Lance Francescon who called first and identified the quote spoken by Nicol Williamson as Merlin in John Boorman's "Excalibur." Way to go, Lance! You have earned the right to sit at The Movie Guys' round table.

Now, for this week -- who said this and in what film: "Glad to meet you, kid. You're a real horse's ass"? Does it sound familiar? If you think you know, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or e-mail us at movieguys5@aol.com. Be sure to spell your name and leave your daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read.

See you next week!

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Las Vegas Weekly magazine and watch their reviews every Friday on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.

archive