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The Gambler

Play trailer Poster for The Gambler R 1974 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
New York City English professor Axel Freed (James Caan) outwardly seems like an upstanding citizen. But privately Freed is in the clutches of a severe gambling addiction that threatens to destroy him. After a heavy loss betting on basketball, he relies on his mother to bail him out to the tune of $44,000. Unfazed, he continues to gamble recklessly, winning big at a casino, only to blow it all just as quickly. When his debts become more than he can handle, the loan sharks begin to circle.
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The Gambler

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Karel Reisz directed the picture with a smooth proficiency that doesn't come easy; James Caan's central performance gives it a backbone, it's strikingly well-edited, and it's dramatically supercharged and compelling. Sep 25, 2023 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Reisz, Caan, and screenwriter James Toback have constructed the character and the movie so convincingly that the scene not only works, but works two ways: first as suspense, and then as character revelation. Rated: 4/4 Apr 29, 2018 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a better-than-average character study that boasts one of Caan's very best performances. Rated: 3/4 Jul 22, 2021 Full Review John Simon Esquire Magazine We feel neither Axel's ghastly compulsion nor his intermittent exultation -- granted that he gets very little help from the script. Feb 10, 2019 Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Fairly good dramatics topped by strong James Caan. Rated: 3/5 Apr 22, 2007 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily James Caan is unforgettable in this tense examination of a college professor who can't stop gambling. One of the many overlooked gems of the 1970s. Rated: 4/5 Oct 8, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Western movies will never be the same again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In 1 hour and 49 minutes, Western movie fans will cheer, like me, for example. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review Mike F Terrific performance by Jimmy Caan portraying the tension between the professional life of a respected college professor and his addiction to gambling Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/24 Full Review santana ! A riveting story of a compulsive gambler on a path to self-destruction, and caan is excellent in this heart-wrenching character piece. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/02/23 Full Review steve d Unpleasant and it is hard to care about the characters. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the darkest movies of the 1970s and one of the best. A very bleak story of addiction. It's no viva Las Vegas Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Doesn't quite stick the landing, but it's still a very good film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Gambler

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Cast & Crew

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Karel Reisz

Director

James Caan

Axel Freed

Paul Sorvino

Hips

Lauren Hutton

Billie

Morris Carnovsky

A. R. Lowenthal

Jacqueline Brookes

Naomi Freed

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The Gambler

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Movie Info

Synopsis New York City English professor Axel Freed (James Caan) outwardly seems like an upstanding citizen. But privately Freed is in the clutches of a severe gambling addiction that threatens to destroy him. After a heavy loss betting on basketball, he relies on his mother to bail him out to the tune of $44,000. Unfazed, he continues to gamble recklessly, winning big at a casino, only to blow it all just as quickly. When his debts become more than he can handle, the loan sharks begin to circle.
Director
Karel Reisz
Producer
Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter
James Toback
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Runtime
1h 49m
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