The Gambler.
Marc Wahlberg (not badly at all) plays an English professor with a gambling problem. His specific dragon is blackjack. He is at times in the film up millions of dollars but can’t pull away. He always stays in and always loses.
He… You know what? Fuck it. This movie was stupid. I ought to enjoy a film about a filthy, student nailing, gambling professor. Bored off my ass. I love gambling, one of the few things in life I do well. Love blackjack. Love English. Tolerate blondes. This movie had a bunch going for it. But, it fails to hold your attention. Other than the masochistic blackjack sequences, you’ll be either bored or questioning whether the plot makes sense.
Various criminals in the film keep loaning money to Wahlberg even though they know he already owes a shitload to other criminals. One of the crooks extends him a 2nd loan based on nothing. Kids: this is not how loan sharks act in real life. No issues with the actors in this film. Nothing they can do when given boring and/or senseless things to do.
Plot caverns are easy to overlook. Well, maybe not easy. But I’m an American (eminently bribeable), I can overlook a plot oubliette in exchange for being entertained. But without my bribe; I’m going to have to write you up. And I will. Shitty forgettable movie. Save your money and watch Rounders again.