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Gambler, The (15)

Crime, Drama, Thriller

Lit professor and gambler Jim Bennett's debt causes him to borrow money from his mother and a loan shark. Further complicating his situation is his relationship with one of his students. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance?

More information on this production is available at www.thegamblermovie.co.uk.

The critical consensus

Wahlberg finds his most interesting role since The Departed in a film that’s heavy on atmosphere and suspense but shy of a full deck when it comes to characterisation.

***(*)(*)Jamie Graham, Total Film, 19/01/2015

A rare grown up thriller, full of interesting bits and a strong turn from Wahlberg. But as a whole Wyatt’s film doesn’t grip as it might.

***(*)(*)Ian Freer, Empire Online, 19/01/2015

Reviving Karel Reisz’s 1974 heavyweight drama – which starred James Caan as a literature professor with a gambling addiction – provides ample opportunity for Wahlberg to demonstrate his acting chops.

****(*)Eddie Harrison, The List, 19/01/2015

Kind of admirable, never less than watchable, but a bit of a mess.

***(*)(*)Chris Fyvie, The Skinny, 22/01/2015

The 1974 film scripted by James Toback is relocated to Los Angeles, and turned into something pretty preposterous in the process.

**(*)(*)(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 22/01/2015

A remake of the 1974 Karel Reisz film, itself adapted from Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 1867 short novel, this is a misconceived and strangely cast affair that can't work out its own attitude toward its main character.

**(*)(*)(*)Geoffrey MacNab, The Independent, 23/01/2015

The film exudes a swaggering confidence in its punchy dialogue and eclectic soundtrack that even includes Pulp’s Common People.

***(*)(*)Allan Hunter, Daily Express, 23/01/2015

Verdict: Don't risk it.

*(*)(*)(*)(*)Brian Viner, Daily Mail, 23/01/2015

Where the original had gritty authenticity thanks to Caan’s ability to play tough guy and smart guy, plus screenwriter James Toback’s autobiographical understanding of the world he’d created (he was a compulsive gambler and city college lecturer before writing it), the new film is much slicker and much less concerned with plausibility.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 24/01/2015

A sombre remake of the 1974 drama with James Caan, The Gambler is best enjoyed as a demonstration of Mark Wahlberg’s versatility.

***(*)(*)Henry Fitzherbert, Sunday Express, 25/01/2015

Despite stylish direction by Rupert Wyatt, who pulls off a few arresting set pieces, The Gambler never manages to make sense of William Monahan’s often laughably overripe screenplay.

**(*)(*)(*)Mark Kermode, The Observer, 25/01/2015

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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