Even if you hate voiceover (or art films) you will just keep watching this engrossing story within a story. Wasn't it Hemingway who said "Write what you know"? This film is about writing what you know, in this case the complex life of a casino and its habitues, seen from the eyes of a reluctant master croupier cum budding novelist.
The setting is fascinating. The characters are razor sharp. There is actually a PLOT, although you might not care. There is even a Parthian shot ending to make you work for it; but it's a nice touch, not the core.
The central theme is the destructive addiction of gambling and its devastating effects on personal integrity. Yet delving deep is not disturbing, primarily because of the detachment of the protagonist, even as he hits the slippery slope. We are remarkably free to be voyeurs at no risk. And it will stick with you.
This film is dense and compelling, and is yet so spare, so delicately played that its hard to believe it hit mainstream and bloomed.
Just watch it.
8 of 10.
The setting is fascinating. The characters are razor sharp. There is actually a PLOT, although you might not care. There is even a Parthian shot ending to make you work for it; but it's a nice touch, not the core.
The central theme is the destructive addiction of gambling and its devastating effects on personal integrity. Yet delving deep is not disturbing, primarily because of the detachment of the protagonist, even as he hits the slippery slope. We are remarkably free to be voyeurs at no risk. And it will stick with you.
This film is dense and compelling, and is yet so spare, so delicately played that its hard to believe it hit mainstream and bloomed.
Just watch it.
8 of 10.