Viewed: 19 June 2005
Directed by:
Listed in: Movies, Netflix

I’d say this is my favorite P.T. Anderson film. It lacks the large ensemble cast, but has the careful cinematography and a very good story. An old gambler teaches a young one the ropes and they form a father son relationship. Simple, somewhat clichéd, but the characters have a lot of depth. The acting is great Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly are excellent fits for their roles. It also avoids two casino traps; showing gambling marathons and a luxurious lifestyle as a result. Instead the characters are shown gambling only once or twice and seem to scrape by with their winnings.