Rounders is another nice notch in Damon's belt and an excellent commercial for Oreos, but its destiny lies as a dust collector on the video store shelves.
Rounders (1998)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:74
Fresh:47
Rotten:27
Average Rating:6.1/10
Consensus: Richly atmospheric and colorful performances contributed to the movie's entertainment value.
Runtime: 2 hrs 1 min
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of New York's high-stakes underground poker world, Roundersis the tale of Mike McDermott, a master card player who trades the poker-playing rounds for law school and a shot... Set against the backdrop of New York's high-stakes underground poker world, Roundersis the tale of Mike McDermott, a master card player who trades the poker-playing rounds for law school and a shot at a new life with his girlfriend Jo. For Mike, the new life he's staking out seems like a legitimate road to success, but it's short on the thrills and excitement of back room poker games. But when Mike's longtime friend Worm is released from prison, Mike is faced with the high-stakes dilemma of his life: to keep on the straight and narrow, or deal himself back into the world of the Rounders. Rounders also stars John Malkovich as the seedy Russian card shark Teddy KGB, who runs the biggest and most dangerous game in town; John Turturroas Joey Knish, Mike's old-time poker mentor, and Martin Landau as Professor Petrovsky, Mike's law school dean. As the stakes rise, each one of these men also deals a hand in Mike's ultimate fate. [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, John Turturro, Famke Janssen
Starring: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, John Turturro, Famke Janssen, Gretchen Mol, John Malkovich, Martin Landau, Chris Young
Director: John Dahl
Director: John Dahl
Screenwriter: David Levien, Brian Koppelman
Producer: Ted Demme, Joel Stillerman
Composer: Christopher Young
Get This Movie
Reviews for Rounders
Rounders is less about how the cards are dealt than how people deal with the situations the cards create, and will hook you from beginning to end.
Rounders has its strengths, to be sure, but for all its polish it never manages to strike the heart.
Though it's a good-looking flick with some smart acting and a few flashy runs, it barely breaks even dramatically, and feels, overall, like a good chance wasted.
O filme possui o mérito de não tentar justificar a moral de seus personagens.
In fighting to show the psychological complexities in Mike that the script ignores, Damon plays it like a rounder instead of a grinder. This kid still has surprises up his sleeve.
The movie is replete with all kinds of insider lingo that goes a long way toward painting a thoroughly convincing portrait of the gambling world.
Though Damon is an actor who's flatly impossible not to root for, the longer this film lasts the less patience we have to stay with him.
With fine acting all around and a colorful millieu to explore, there's plenty to take in.
It's rare that a movie lacking so much in logic and characterization is such fun to watch.
When the movie is considering the relationship between the pros and their business, it has a place to go, implying that Mike could turn into one of these bozos.
Latest News for Rounders
June 23, 2008:
RT Flashback: The First Ten Movies Ever Reviewed
Rush Hour, 54, Rounders and more...join us in a look back at the first ten movies ever reviewed on Rotten Tomatoes when it launched during the summer of 1998. More...
March 26, 2008:
Total Recall: Go All In with These Gambling Movies
Gambling is a great central theme for a film, if for no better reason it's full of drama, deceit, and the occasional reason to look at someone (hopefully someone hot) under a... More...
June 21, 2007:
Scorsese & De Niro: Together Again
Do you even have to know the plot? It's the ninth collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. Period. More...
May 18, 2007:
Jane Out, Dahl In on "Punisher 2"?
We're already well aware that actor Thomas Jane has walked away from the "Punisher" sequel, but now comes word that a new director might be attached. More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
| 53% 53% | David & Layla |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



