Win Win (2011)
Average Rating: 7.8/10
Reviews Counted: 163
Fresh: 153 | Rotten: 10
Rich, wonderful characters and strong performances populate Win Win, with writer/director Thomas McCarthy continuing to emerge as a great American humanist.
Average Rating: 8/10
Critic Reviews: 37
Fresh: 34 | Rotten: 3
Rich, wonderful characters and strong performances populate Win Win, with writer/director Thomas McCarthy continuing to emerge as a great American humanist.
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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 29,674
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Movie Info
Paul Giamatti headlines writer/director Tom McCarthy's comedy drama centering on a beleaguered attorney and part-time wrestling coach who schemes to keep his practice from going under by acting as the legal caretaker of an elderly client. Mike Flaherty (Giamatti) thinks he has discovered the perfect loophole to keep his practice in business. But his brilliant plan hits an unexpected hitch when his client's troubled grandson shows up looking for a place to stay. With his home life in turmoil and
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Cast
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Paul Giamatti
Mike Flaherty -
Amy Ryan
Jackie Flaherty -
Bobby Cannavale
Terry Delfino -
Jeffrey Tambor
Stephen Vigman -
Alex Shaffer
Kyle -
Melanie Lynskey
Cindy -
Burt Young
Leo Poplar -
Margo Martindale
Eleanor -
David Thompson
Stemler -
Clare Foley
Abby
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Win Win Trailer & Photos
All Critics (163) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (155) | Rotten (10) | DVD (9)
The rare, humanist beauty of Win Win is that none of its characters is a caricature, none of its plot twists a blatant play for tears or laughs, none of its appeal based on some mythical lowest common denominator.
Top CriticWhat's just delightful about this wittily observed and touchingly truthful affair is the fact it offers consistently sherbety entertainment in the moment but ultimately holds to its purpose of saying something useful and genuine about real lives.
Giamatti excels as the weak-kneed Mike, nicely working his gift for inner conflict and outer bumbling. As his wife, Amy Ryan is a ballast of unflinching moral certitude.
In the end the film stacks up just this side of twee, as the sort of quirky fare that's passably entertaining without ever offering anything real or remarkable.
[McCarthy's] writing reflects a wariness of human nature but he's not cynical; indeed, the story wraps up with a tenderness that feels true but completely without mush.
Win Win is a winner all the way.
McCarthy has found his emotional sweet spot, a gentle and complex story to set it in and the perfect title for it."
"Win Win" continues McCarthy's streak of bringing realistic characters and realistic situations to life on the screen. He has clearly shown his talent for writing and directing, making him one of those directors to watch out for.
There's a real earnestness to the proceedings: if someone had relayed the setup to me via email or over cocktails, I would have bet heavily that we'd be looking at a sappy mess of clichés.
Win win es una película con momentos muy graciosos y otros ligeramente conmovedores, animada por un estupendo elenco y sin golpes bajos.
One of the ten best films of 2011.
Win Win is worth a look look. As indie dramedies go, it's a good one.
Going down for a short count
Excellent performances of good characters in a story that's not as rich as it apparently believes itself to be.
In Tom McCarthy's Win Win sports may seem to be the means for drama. But when considering the importance of wrestling to the characters, the sport shapes character and narrative.
This combination comedy and drama works well, in part because of good performances by everyone.
Deftly illustrates how life is complicated and it is that rare family film that portrays life's real challenges without glossing over the complexities of relationships.
Win Win isn't a morality play; it's just a really good story. But it does deal with an issue that couldn't be more relevant: Where do we draw the line when it comes to survival if it means clouding our sense of right and wrong?
Tom McCarthy has an affinity for the bittersweet, and Win Win's best qualities are of the kind that tend to go unnoticed.
Is there anyone who can play an "ordinary guy" better than Paul Giamatti?
Win Win is a warm, wonderful comedy, smartly written, full of great performances (particularly from supporting superstars Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale and Jeffrey Tambor) and bad haircuts (yeah, a lot of the characters have bad haircuts).
Beautifully observed, this serio-comic film is the stuff of life and, despite the plot contrivances, very engaging in its quiet way.
It's a wonderful screenplay; observant, wise and nonjudgmental, drawing out its universal relevance from an intimate and subtle story of human weakness and strength
This beautifully realised independent film about winning and second chances is one of those gems that easily finds its mark
Audience Reviews for Win Win
Super Reviewer
I really don't like sport themed movies (or sport especially), so usually end up bored and wishing I hadn't bothered. This is about wrestling, but it's secondary to the main story. Actually a really good movie, good story about a guy who is going broke so takes on guardianship of an elderly man and winds up saddled with the grandson and ex druggie daughter as well. Really good characters and believable acting.
Ending a little too convenient, but it's a minor gripe.
Super Reviewer
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- Stemler: I feel the force.
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- Stemler: I feel the force.
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- Stemler: Oh SHIT it's Darth Vader!
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- Terry Delfino: They opened their kimonos, and you make them meet the train.
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- Jackie Flaherty: We have kids, Mike. I'm not taking any chances with Eminem down there.
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- Jackie Flaherty: Kyle, We love you.
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Latest News on Win Win
June 7, 2011:
DreamWorks Buys Tom McCarthy's Home MoviesThe "Win Win" writer/director plans a "supernatural family comedy."
March 20, 2011:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Bradley Cooper More Popular Than Lawyers and AliensThe paranoia-fueled action thriller Limitless led a trio of new releases and opened at number one...
March 18, 2011:
Critics Consensus: Paul Is Sweet Sci-Fi FunThis week at the movies, we've got a close encounter (Paul, starring Simon Pegg and Seth Rogen); a...
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Foreign Titles
- Les winners (FR)
- Win Win, ganamos todos (ES)
That's the situation attorney and moon-lighting wrestling coach Mike Flaherty (Giamatti) finds himself when, in desperate need of cash, becomes the guardian of Leo Poplar (Young), who has started to lose his sense of reality. What he didn't foresee is that soon enough, Poplar's grandson, Kyle (Shaffer) pops up in town in need of a guardian too. At first his surly demeanor makes Mike's family's life even harder. However, when Kyle turns out to be a brilliant wrestler, everything starts improving and soon, they become a true family.
Win Win doesn't just keep it simple though. Giamatti's character is far from perfect. He's surly and desperate, most often just thinking about his own goals. And yet, you still like him. He's an everyday man trying to do what he can to get by. Giamatti once again shows his acting chops. Shaffer does a great job in portraying the brooding teen Kyle and doesn't feel like just another teen role.
The film's script and direction by Tom McCarthy are, however, what give the film the life that permeates its entirety. In particular, the conversations of the characters feel natural but often hilarious. This is a dramedy, after all, but be warned that the focus is on drama. The characters' struggles are believable and often multi-layered, and when it gets to the breaking point you feel as hopeless as Mike himself.
Win Win doesn't do much with its core narrative, and you almost feel like something a bit more could've been done to make it go on a bit longer. Regardless, Win Win is a funny, touching and clever dramedy that is among the finest films released this year.