Is Paramount gunning for the Oscars in their late-game dark morality tale “The Gambler” starring Mark Wahlberg? Could be, and the film looks terrific regardless; it’s perhaps a reminder to pundits that the adult drama ain’t dead quiet yet. Directed by Rupert Wyatt (“Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes”), the film is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name written by James Toback, directed by Karel Reisz and starring James Caan, Paul Sorvino and Lauren Hutton. That picture is vastly underrated, not widely remembered and thus the sort of picture that’s ripe to be remade. Here’s the official synopsis:
Jim Bennett (Academy Award® 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® 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…
Co-starring John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams and Jessica Lange, “The Gamlber” is in select theaters starting December 19th. Watch the first full trailer below.
