The Gambler

R

Released Jan 1, 2015

1 hr. 51 min.

Crime

Drama

List

43%

143 Reviews

Tomatometer

31%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Literature professor Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) leads a secret life as a high-stakes gambler. Always a risk-taker, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster and offers his own life as collateral. Staying one step ahead, he pits his creditor against the operator of an illicit gambling ring while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a paternalistic loan shark. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must risk everything for a second chance.

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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.

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Benjamin S

I wish he would have died. Terrible film, please do not watch it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

Ozgur K

It's about this guy who's totally hooked on gambling, and does it get him into some serious trouble. Mark Wahlberg plays the main character, and Brie Larson's also in the mix. Some people really enjoy it for all the suspense and drama it brings, but I am not one of them. It's lacking a bit of excitement. Brie Larson makes it fun to watch, but Mark's acting is felt like unripe fruit, it might bother some people. The story doesn't have many surprises, so it might not keep you hooked. But if you just want to relax and don't expect much, it's okay for passing time. Overall, it's not a bad choice if you have some extra time to spend.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

Moises G

Unbearable and unreal character "No one lends money to a loser and arrogant nobody" I felt like stopping watching it after 10 minutes but I decided to find an illuminating message at the...

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Test T

I watched this on DVD. It was not what I expected at all and I found it dark and depressing. I was also very frustrated by the audio quality of the dialogue. There were numerous scenes where I could not hear what was being said clearly, even after adjusting the volume and replaying the section I missed. Sometimes the actor's seemed to be mumbling the words, other times they spoke too quickly, but the outcome was I did not hear what was said and had to make a guess! It may have been clearer in the cinema, but on the DVD it was unacceptable. It was a similar situation with the lighting. Many of the scenes were dimly lit, and it was difficult to see what was going on. I did not enjoy this film and do not recommend it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Liane C

Excellent movie and cast.Mark Wahlberg is great as always in this film.It has depth to the story that really makes you think.I highly recommend this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

Full Review

Jerod S

Wahlberg doesn't know when to quit and is drying up every source of money he can find (Lange, Goodman). He's also a lit prof and falling for a student. Its a frustrating wait for him to kick the habit.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/08/23

Full Review

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Rupert Wyatt

Director

Mark Wahlberg

Jim Bennett

John Goodman

Frank

Brie Larson

Amy Phillips

Michael Kenneth Williams

Neville Baraka

Jessica Lange

Roberta

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The Gambler: Official Clip - Can't Stop Gambling

3:01

The Gambler: Official Clip - Total Victory or Death

1:15

The Gambler: Official Clip - Nail Salon Beating

1:37

The Gambler: Official Clip - Pretending to Teach

2:47

The Gambler: Official Clip - F*** You

2:54

The Gambler: Official Clip - Say "I Am Not a Man"

2:20

The Gambler: Official Clip - A Genius Writer

2:55

The Gambler: Official Clip - Fixed Basketball

2:58

The Gambler: Official Clip - Pawn Shop Problem

2:36

The Gambler: Official Clip - All on Black

2:37

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

'The Gambler' is just shy of a great movie - it doesn't quite add up like it should - but it is a reminder that there's a very fine actor lurking in Mark Wahlberg.

Jun 7, 2016

Full Review

Stephen Romei

The Australian

This is a slick, fast-paced film that maintains its sometimes unbearable tension until the last roll of the dice.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 12, 2015

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

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.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 25, 2015

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

By the end, it's difficult to care about Jim as Wahlberg represents him.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 13, 2022

Full Review

Nick Levine

NME (New Musical Express)

Potentially gripping, but never generates enough tension...

Rated: 2.5/5

May 27, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Wants to be a philosophical look at life's big issues, using Bennett's fall from grace as a backdrop, but in the end delivers Hollywood cynicism.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 2, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Literature professor Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) leads a secret life as a high-stakes gambler. Always a risk-taker, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster and offers his own life as collateral. Staying one step ahead, he pits his creditor against the operator of an illicit gambling ring while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a paternalistic loan shark. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must risk everything for a second chance.

Director: Rupert Wyatt
Executive Producer: David Crockett, James Toback, William Monahan
Screenwriter: William Monahan
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Chartoff Winkler, Leverage, Closest to the Hole
Rating: R (Some Sexuality/Nudity|Language Throughout)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 24, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $33.7M
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital

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