The Gambler

Critics Consensus

Well-paced and reasonably entertaining in its own right, The Gambler still suffers from comparisons to the James Caan classic that inspired it.

43%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 141

31%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 23,857
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Movie Info

Jim Bennett (Academy Award (R)-nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Academy Award (R)-winner Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett's future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance... (C) Paramount

Cast

Mark Wahlberg
as Jim Bennett
Brie Larson
as Amy Phillips
Jessica Lange
as Roberta
John Goodman
as Frank
Emory Cohen
as Dexter
Sonya Walger
Richard Schiff
as Jeweler
Anthony Kelley
as Lamar Allen
George Kennedy
as Ed
Griffin Cleveland
as Young Jim
Omar Leyva
as Valet
Steve Park
as Number 2
Michael Kenneth Williams
as Neville Baraka
Chil Kong
as Blackjack Dealer #1
Davone McDonald
as Neville's Muscle
Amin Joseph
as Neville's Bookkeeper
Cjon Saulsberry
as Neville's Posse
Teebone Mitchell
as Neville's Posse
Alvin Ing
as Mister Lee
Karen Ritchie
as Blackjack Dealer #2
Tina Wang
as Roulette Croupier
Josiah Blount
as Nebbishy Student
Shakira Ja'nai Paye
as Questioning Student
Melanie McComb
as Mouthy Student
Andre Braugher
as Dean Fuller
Domenick Lombardozzi
as Big Ernie
Chanon Finley
as Pole Dancer
Raquel Pomplun
as Bottle Service Girl
Mattie Hawkinson
as Wide Eyed Student
Lauren Weedman
as Banker
James Wellington
as Indian Casino Dealer
Carlos L. Smith
as Indian Casino Ranchero
Steven Fisher
as Indian Casino Gambler #1
Henry Penzi
as Indian Casino Gambler #2
Steve Kim
as Mister Lee's Heavy #1
Simon Rhee
as Mister Lee's Heavy #2
Leland Orser
as Larry Jones
Todd Tetreault
as ROTC Squad Leader
Trevor Denman
as Horse Race Announcer
Jessika Van
as Sports Bar Waitress
Mike Rylander
as Game Announcer
Marques Johnson
as Game Color Man
Mark Schotz
as Assistant Basketball Coach
Michael Fisher
as Basketball Coach
Kent Avenido
as Gambling Den Owner
Brian Woods
as Referee
Marc Abbink
as Press Member
Stephen Woo
as Karaoke Singer
Rio Ahn
as Korean Pit Boss
Cham
as Student
Greg Duncan
as Security Consultant
Jason Her
as Radio Host
Kelly Bacon
as High-Fiving Court Fan
Rex Hindrichs
as Donovan Cham (Wildcats Player)
William Patrick Brown
as Party Guest
Jahmilla Jackson
as Supporting
Sarunas Jackson
as Wilhelm
Case Lawyer
as Gambler Ken
Stephen Choi
as Black Jack Dealer
Eddie Martinez
as Steward
Christian Taylor
as Student
Scott Cordts
as Fan
Daniel Mitchell
as Jim's Dad
Lawannah Ann Curry
as Upscale Gambler
Denise J. Saucedo
as Posse (Janet Mc)
Monda Scott
as Nurse
Norman Towns
as Brodey
Nicki Dion
as Student
Micah Taylor West
as Female Basketball Player
Jennifer Floyd
as Nurse
Moses Yim
as Upscale Gambler
Jonathan Gatz
as Screaming Fan
Alex Gregory
as Basketball Player
Dawayne Jordan
as Basketball Fan
Anita Liao
as Casino Hostess
Airrese Marie
as Hooker
Hanna Messick
as Cheongsam Girl
TJ Nibbio
as Basketball Fan
Christopher Brian Nicoletti
as Basketball Coach
Rebecca Lee Robertson
as Student
Justin Ryan
as Basketball Fan
Iain Sandison
as Bookstore Guy
Joseph Steven
as Funeral Priest
Eric Bryan Stone
as Basketball Player
Steven J. Wong
as Mr. Mahjong
Jen Yim
as Showgirl
Teazz Yung
as Supporting
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News & Interviews for The Gambler

New on DVD & Blu-Ray: Paddington, Inherent Vice, and More
Video: Mark Wahlberg Says The Gambler Is a Story of Empowerment
Critics Consensus: The Interview Earns Mixed Reviews
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Critic Reviews for The Gambler

All Critics (141) | Top Critics (40) | Fresh (61) | Rotten (80)

  • Directed by Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), the film is glossy and shiny, giving it a superficial sheen that doesn't make any sense.

    October 17, 2017 | Full Review…

    M. Faust

    The Public (Buffalo)
    Top Critic

  • Mark Wahlberg is always a physically articulate actor; here he wrings despair and disillusionment from every beaten-down gesture, every curt exchange.

    January 23, 2015 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Wendy Ide

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • The Gambler ... has become an advert for gambling. You couldn't make it up.

    January 23, 2015 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Charlotte O'Sullivan

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • Mark Wahlberg's designer-suited performance is shallow and self-admiring ... and William Monahan (who wrote The Departed) devises a new narrative direction which is contrived and preposterous.

    January 22, 2015 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • Hate the players, not the game.

    January 22, 2015 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Adam Woodward

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • The dialogue never leaves the surface and the running across Los Angeles that happens in the last sequence is supposed to thrill you, but it's such a clich that your embarrassment extends to the crew member who has to follow with the camera.

    January 9, 2015 | Full Review…

    Wesley Morris

    Grantland
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (141)

Audience Reviews for The Gambler

  • Jan 20, 2019
    Marky Mark try'na sell a watch to a stereotype made me kinda shame-laugh, and the last act was an improvement on the first two, but The Gambler is not something I would recommend to, realistically, anyone at all.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 22, 2018
    Wahlberg delivers one of the finest performances in recent times. The biggest problem is the film built around him sadly can't serve the story and it's this mix up that robs the film of being something grand and original. Wyatt has a consistent vision but he tends to lose the whole focus towards the end and we are essentially robbed of a film with a core purpose. I liked the film and the tone but it struggles to overcome a lucklustre love connection, which becomes one of the key parts of the story at some point. The support cast has depth and shine when provided the chance, Goodman shares one of the best scenes in the later part of the story. This is a good film but not great, the performances surrounding it are worth the ticket but the overall story is lacking where it needed to shine. 19/10/2018.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Dec 23, 2015
    So fucking bad. I normally like Mark Wahlberg, but he's pretty terrible here, as is the rest of the cast. AND WHAT IS WITH ALL THE FUCKING MONTAGES HERE?! THERE'S LIKE 15 OF THEM!!! Do yourself a favor and avoid this piece of shit.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • May 22, 2015
    Mark Wahlberg stars as The Gambler in this a drab and nihilistic thriller. When college professor Jim Bennett has his gambling debts called in by the Chinese mob he's given seven days to come up with the money. Wahlberg gives a decent performance, but his character is rather unlikable; as he seems to be self-destructing just to see how far he can go. Additionally, the plot is weak and doesn't have a clear direction. Yet director Rupert Wyatt does a nice job at creating an atmospheric tone, and at bringing tension to the scenes. While The Gambler has its moments, it fails to deliver a compelling story.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
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