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ROUNDERS- AWESOME FLICK!

For anyone who has any knowledge, and for some who don't, Rounders is an enjoyable film. Matt Damon is awesome in this movie! Adding to the cast are Edward Norton (Primal Fear), and John Malkovich (Need I mention his countless movies?). This movie flat-out makes me want to go win some money. The poker strategy is explained for those who don't know much of the game. The only way to describe this movie is TENSE! How they can make a poker movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat is beyond me but this movie does just that! Be prepared to want to go play some Poker after this one. Truly 5 Stars out of 5!

Enjoyable character-driven story

Mike is a law student who is also a skilled poker player. However when he loses everything to Russian player KGB he promises his girlfriend that he'll quit playing. However a year later Mike's friend Worm comes out of prison and immediately entices Mike into an easy game. Worm still has outstanding debts and Mike is drawn back into this world in order to help him win enough to pay them off.I taped this off TV with no real hope for it. I knew it hadn't done well at the cinema and that it wasn't exactly a well known film – so I assumed it must be pretty poor. However I was sold on it by the end and, although it's not brillant, it's good enough to watch at least once. The plot is pretty simple but the characters make it watchable and the poker action is good.
How many of us long to be Mike – to be able to read a table like that etc? The poker scenes may not all have excitement (you know who'll win) but they are interesting to watch.Damon caused me pause to doubt when he first came on the screen. I just saw him in `Bourne Identity' and here he looks very young compared to that.
However once I got past his baby face I accepted him although someone else might have been better. Norton is great as always and very watchable. Good support comes from an understated Turturro, Janssen, Landau and a slightly hammy Malkovich. However they all do well given that they all drive the thin plot and make the film watchable.Overall it's not a great piece of work but it does have some really good performances and it works well as a drama with knobs on. I wouldn't buy it but I'll watch it again if I see it on TV.

Great movie

Rounders is a great movie that reminds me of some of the interesting plot movies from the 50's and 60's.This movie gets you involved in the plot of a gambling addict that is sometimes very technical yet the director is able to keep everyone interested.It reminds me of the movie "The Cincinnati Kid". <http://us.imdb.com/Title?Cincinnati+Kid,+The+(1965)>This movie has an abundance of personality and ambience that is lacking in a lot of movies today.

Holding "Four of a Kind" Rounders wins the pot.

Outstanding performances by Matt Damon, Martin Landau, Edward Norton and John Malkovich draw you into the tale of a young poker player pursuing his dream to become the best. Set predominately in the seedy world of New York City's underground gambling, Mike McDermott (Damon) risks it all to help his best friend Worm (Norton) pay off debts he accumulated before serving time for selling false credit cards.The solid script methodically ups the ante from the first scene. Mike must decide when to fold. I highly recommend it.

Maybe it would help if I was a bigger fan of poker...

Another Ed Norton movie, this one also starring Matt Damon. And John Malkovich, although I almost didn't recognize him at first. Problem is, I'm not a fan of poker or gambling, and none of the characters are particularly likable, so this did little for me.

Easier to go to Vegas and see the real thing.

Movies about gamblers have always had incredible problems with authenticity. Although not the fodder of the 'GAFF SQUAD', card playing situations like those encountered in the brilliant "Cincinnati Kid" would never happen in real life circumstances. And those that really do happen are too subtle to be appreciated by the masses via the big screen.Real-life card players of any merit rarely have an option of law school (as the Matt Damon character does), and they don't have Gretchen Mol waiting at home for them, either. Of course authenticity is not necessarily a requirement for a good film.John Dahl does his best here with a weak script, a distant premise, and what is obviously a hastily thrown together star-vehicle for the hotter than hot Matt Damon.John Malkovich is brilliant as KGB, the Russian card parlor manager, and Damon's nemesis. Ed Norton does little with what little role he has as Damon's always in more trouble than he's worth, accomplice. If you look quickly you'll catch Melina Kanaredes.A partially redemptive arc does little more for this assembly of ill-fitting pieces than provide an opportunity for 'The End'.Maybe fun for those on the outside looking 'in' to the world card players, other than that, pass.

A must have for Poker Players!

This movies is a must have for hold-em players. If you dream of playing with the big boys or if you just enjoy a casual home game, you will laugh and understand this movie completely.

A Few Cards Short of a Full Deck

The deck was stacked in favour of this movie succeeding. The cast was anchored by such masters as Ed Norton, John Malkovich and John Turturro, and yet, it fell shamefully short. My primary complaint with "Rounders" is the casting of Matt Damon as a hard-core, habitual gambler. That's about as believable as Sharon Stone bedecked in Versace flipping burgers at McDonald's.My second complaint is the women in this film. Were they simply placed on screen as "filler". The characters were utterly superfluous and added nothing to the plot. A plot that was as thin as Famke Janssen's legs.My final complaint was Malkovich's over-the-top portrayal of a Russian "mobster". It was completely ree-DEEK-u-lose! I have utter respect for him as an actor. His range is awe inspiring. But this was just laughable. Last I checked, "Rounders" was not intended to be a comedy.So, that's what's wrong with the movie. Norton and Turturro were the only things "right" with it. They flowed so effortlessly into their parts. Every movement, expression and sound they made exuded the appropriate characteristics and nuances required of them.This movie is not an entire waste of time if you can get past the poor casting, weak plot and predictable ending.

One of the most under rated films ever!

Rounders is nothing short of hypnotic. It is a film that introduced me and many others to the surreal world of poker. High stakes, Texas Hold Em, winner take all poker. For those unfamiliar with the game, not only is this a perfect tutorial to understand the game, but this is a movie that will entertain you right to the very end.I like to think that this is just like Rocky. Matt Damon plays Mike McDermott, just like Stallone played Rocky. He has all the talent in the world but he needs to find a way to harness it and get the right opportunity. KGB is a little like Appollo Creed and John Tuturro is like Mickey in some ways. But enough of the comparisons of Rocky.What makes Rounders so compelling is the interpersonal relationships in the film, no doubt, but let's face it, what really makes the film as vibrant and energetic as it is, is the poker scenes. We are introduced to several games here, namely Omaha, Omaha Hi Lo, 7 Card Stud and of course Texas Hold Em. According to Mike, Texas No Limit is the Cadillac of all poker games. He of course got that info from reading books by some of the poker greats such as Phil Helmuth, Amarillo Slim and of course The Godfather of poker, Doyle Brunson. Great detail is spent on the feel of poker in this film. When you are in the poker rooms, you can smell the smoke, taste the mustiness of the air and you can feel the emotions that the players feel. It really is a masterful job by Dahl to convey these emotions. And full credit has to be give to the screenwriters to know the lingo, to mollify us with terms like "flop", "river", "rags" and "bicycle". Rounders helped introduce me to this nefarious world and just like many others before me, I am hooked. Rounders can take credit for that.What also must be mentioned here is the performances. Like many of the reviewers before me, I was awed by the absolute mastery of these characters by Damon, Norton, Malkovich, Turturro and Landau. My favourite performance is that of John Malkovich. He plays a Russian mobster called KGB. He is a master poker player and in the beginning scene, he takes all of Mike's bankroll as he hits a full house on fourth street, to cripple Mike's smaller boat. Malkovich is a master. He can play any role and he proves it in spades here. Think of his performance in a film like In The Line of Fire or in Of Mice and Men and this is about as diametric from those roles as you can get. There is not one second in the film when you don't believe that he is a Russian mobster with a propensity for gambling. If this film would have been more recognized back in 98, he could have received an Oscar nomination. He is that good. Matt Damon is really a fine actor and this film, while not as known as some of this others, is really a layered performance and one of his best. He plays the young prodigal son here with absolute zeal. Damon has to be one of the best actors working today and seeing as this was one of his first performances after Good Will Hunting, you have to give him that much more credit for taking on such an esoteric role. Kudos to him.Rounders has grown in reputation over the years to the point where a special edition DVD with the likes of Helmuth, Johnny Chan, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and 2003 WSOP champion Chris Moneymaker providing some excellent and enlightening commentary on the track. If you love this film, it is imperative that you pick up the SE DVD. It will enhance the experience for you and will help you appreciate the film that much more. It is fun and exciting to hear the 4 of them laugh when Mike finally busts KGB using Johnny Chen's methods from his first win in the World Series of Poker. Rounders is a fantastic movie and for those that haven't seen it, you should.10/10 One of the most under rated films of the last 10 years!

A tough flick to rate

This review contains some spoiler information. Rounders is basically the best movie to date (that I've seen) that deals with the topic of pro poker. The score, the poker matches, the acting all draw you in. No poker movie even comes close to the first scene with Mike and KGB. Although not entirely accurate of a real brutality and skill involved in heads up Holdem match, the audience cannot possibly be expected to understand all the ins and outs of Holdem. Very few people do. However, an engaging heart wrenching loss is still conveyed when KGB casually tosses in a call and flips up those two red aces with absolutely no remorse. Thus, although a little off form reality (Mike's rationale in the scene's narration is too simple and the statement "I'm gonna go all in cause I don't think you got the spades basically announces Mike's hand to any doof at the table) the big poker scene essentially works. The same applies for the second final one as well. The plot is quite predictable and there are some real problems like: the size of Mike's apartment, the professors loan, and the fact that Mike decides not to have sex with Petra (come on she's really hot). However, these shortcomings don't detract the way the simple plot draws you in. I mean after Mike lost that first big game I knew he would come back to win.
Everybody does. But I still felt the ups and downs of Mike's bankroll like it was my own money. When worm cheats and they (Mike and Worm) lose all their money and get their asses kicked in that 20 40 game I was ready to go berserk. I'm glad Mike gets rid of him. And that's how good Norton is in this film. He plays the part so well that (as intended) you just can't stand him. The ending of the film is problematic to many but I think most people who see this film just don't get it. The film does not suggest compulsive gambling to everyone. However, for some people, it is a lifestyle and a productive, fulfilling one at that. The top 200 poker players in the world are functional addicts. They live well and enjoy every minute of their compulsive, non traditional lifestyle. Mike is going to find out if he can be one of the big shots. In my opinion, he's really not that good a card player and will probably go home from Vegas dead broke. However, poker as the film states is a calling. Mike hears his and goes for it. Whether he makes it or not isn't relevant. Poker excellence is a lifelong pursuit.
All the greats go through tough times. I think Mike is somewhat delusional (so you put one move on Chan, big deal) but I think the poker mindset he exposes to the audience is very true to life. That idea is what makes Rounders an important film. It gives a voice to pro poker players. Most people think of them as worthless, parasitic, immoral scumbags but I think this film lets you know something of what they are really like. Doing so is really much harder than one would think.
Explaining poker in the course of 121 minutes is very very difficult.
Nonetheless, you want to play cards and re-experience the rush that Rounders gives you after you watch the film. Personal Note: I'd like to thank whoever was involved with getting this film to theatres. You have encouraged millions of suckers to play poker.
Thank you Thank you Thank you !!!!! Anyway, I give this movie a 7. A tough task, well executed, but still more could be said. Rounders' friendship plot (the relationship between Worm and Mike) is not really ground breaking. So you tolerate an old friend to a point and then drop him. Ok, big deal. Neither is Mike's romance with Gretchen Mol. I think She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me has been done before. I think the actual topic of poker and its dynamics is what makes the movie interesting and enjoyable. In terms of poker movies it (I'll say it again to make my point crystal clear) is by far the best to attempt to tackle the subject. Yet, at the same time, it is not a masterpiece by any means.

Undeniably cool

"Rounders" seems to have become somewhat of a cult classic since its release a decade ago. Depending on who you ask, it either played a part in sparking the recent vogue for poker or it benefited directly from it.In the film, a ruined poker player (Matt Damon) gets drawn back into the game when his ne'er-do-well buddy (Edward Norton) runs into trouble with a loan shark. With this premise, the film then takes us into the world of high stakes poker and life as a rounder.The cast is a big part of why this film is worth watching. Damon & Norton were still fresh faces in 1998 but time has shown that you could not ask for a better pairing. Both actors are on the top of their game and their performances go a long way in selling the experience. The supporting cast isn't bad, either. You've got Martin Landau, John Malkovich (complete with ridiculous 'Russian' accent), John Turturro and others providing quality support.The film's look is pretty impressive, too. John Dahl's direction is bold and the cinematography is continually appealing as we move from underground dives to Atlantic City and everywhere in between. The soundtrack is pretty good too, with some well-chosen music that fits the picture nicely.All of this makes for a film that's worthy of its cult status. Is it destined to become a classic on the scale of "The Hustler"? Certainly not, but it's a nifty little spin on similar subject matter.

Good but not great

Rounders: rated R, 1 hour and 54 minutes

In the movie Rounders, Matt Damon plays the cleverly skillful cardsharp, Mike McDermott. Edward Norton plays his best friend and swindling partner. McDermott swears to his loving girlfriend that he will never again play a game of cards after losing (thousands of dollars) to a Russian mobster known only as KGB. When “Worm” (Norton) is released from prison, he finds himself greatly in debt to the Mafia. In order to help out his buddy, Mike begins to gather up money by continuing to gamble. He and Worm work together as a team, winning poker games illegally. As soon as Mike’s sweetheart finds out about him going back to cards, she leaves him without delay. The rest of the movie is the trouble Mike and Worm get into in the business of gambling, and the excitement of success.
Rounders displays exceptional acting by the Damon and Norton duo. The background acting done by Gretchen Mol (the girlfriend), and John Malkovich (KGB), on the other hand was somewhat displeasing. Mol played the average good girl with no real feeling adequately expressed in her performance. Malkovich surprisingly ended up playing the role of a seemingly idiotic underworld leader with a poor attempt at portraying a Russian accent. His pathetic depiction of the character KGB did not fit in at all well with the remarkable acting by Edward Norton and Matt Damon.
Acting is not all that made this movie what it is. The thrill of the game was also a major part in making the movie enjoyable. Matt Damon does a good job of running the audience through the basics in how to play a good game of cards. He explains that one must play his opponent rather than the cards in order to win. By looking at the eyes of his competitors, interestingly enough, he is able to read their minds and determine his game winning strategy. Mike McDermott insists that poker is not at all a matter of luck, but that it is a matter of skill. A skill in which of course he fully possesses. Mike McDermott is clearly a poker playing genius. He accurately integrates everyday speech with sharp gambler’s lingo. Though it is often hard to grasp many of the things Damon says, by using this lingo, it somehow holds the viewer’s interest anyway.
Edward Norton's character (and fantastic portrayal) truly sustains the greatest element of intensity, and though intriguing at moments, when all is said and done, the audience comes away with little more than a cheap, dramatized look at playing poker with high stakes.

Ace In The Hole

This movie is subtle. Very subtle.And did I mention good? Very good.Like any good poker player will tell you, having a tell is the worst when trying to win a game. The movie itself also plays coy with the viewer. Ideally, you believe Matt Damon will i9ntervene and reform his pal (Norton), overcome his own addiction for the game, and get the girl to boot. But none of this happens.The filmmakers, either intentionally or unintentionally bluff you so good that even Johnny Chan would have guessed wrong.Outstanding piece of work, and a must see flick.Not to mention John Malkovich (KGB) in his usual uncanny form.

Outstanding look into the world of gambling

Mike McDermott ( Matt Damon ) is a talented professional poker player and a law student. Determined that he can double his life savings, he sets off to play against the owner of an underground card club - Teddy KGB ( John Malkovich). Unfortunately, he ends up losing it all. In order to keep his relationship going with his girlfriend Jo ( Gretchen Mol), he swears off cards from then on out, and concentrates on only becoming a lawyer. But when his lifelong best friend and card shark Worm ( Edward Norton) is released from prison, he is soon back at the tables...

"Rounders" blew me away because of the amazing insight into the world of poker and its players. One would think that a movie focusing on the game of poker would be boring. However, the film's director John Dahl, brilliantly works in a first person narrative from Matt Damon pointing out the intricate parts of the game. This causes the card games that are played in this film to be highly suspenseful. Brian Koppelman and David Leven provide the brilliant screenplay that accurately entails what gambling can do to your life, and the tough choices that one can be faced with. The relationship between Matt Damon and Gretchen Mol illustrates this beautifully because of all the lies, excuses, and false promises that are shown throughout the film. The rest of the cast is filled with amazing actors like Martin Landau, Edward Norton, John Tuturro, and John Malkovich.

" Rounders" offers a great look into the world of poker, a realistic look at gambling addiction, incredible actors, and a fast paced suspenseful story. The only part that suffers is the DVD, because of the lack of extras. I would have loved to have seen a behind the scenes look into the actors, poker, etc. So make sure you purchase the VHS version.

Boring, awful look at the world of gambling... save your money.

This film is not only a waste of the viewer's time and money, but a drain on the viewer's attention span. Boring barely describes this long dreary look at the life of a young man addicted to gambling. The young man is played by Matt Damon, and this film will not go down as one of his big films. Martin Landau as the kindly judge who dishes out some advice and money, seems tired with his character and the whole atmosphere of the sets. Actually, everyone seems to be brought down by a film that really never answers any questions and never goes anywhere. Gretchen Mol is wasted as the girlfriend , and Edward Norton as "Worm" (an appropriate name for his character) is a pocket-change user of people. Bottom line, don't waste your time, or your money on this film.

A Great Gambling Movie

Matt Damon and Edward Norton team up in this Gambling drama about two men who love to play cards. Both men live different lives, and conflicts arise but in the end one thing is never forgotten; How good these guys actually are at what they do.

Not good, not even close

This movie blows. Edward Norton and Matt Damon are good actors, but this is a terrible film for no other reason than that I don't believe them in these roles one tiny bit. Norton thinks he's "Mean Streets"-era De Niro and guess what? He's not. Who knows what Damon is doing but his supposedly know-all voice-over is laughable. As out of place as these guys are, they're the BETTER part of the cast. Malkovich has the WORST Russian accent ever. I expect better from him. Yet the lowest of the low is Gretchen Mol who proves that a pretty face doesn't translate well to the screen when you have a speaking part. Her attractiveness quotient plummets in this film. Hopefully she'll stick to being motionless on magazine covers from here on out, but I know that we can't be that lucky.

You want a good movie with cards as a backdrop? Get "House of Games" which is infinitely better than this mess.

I have lost a great deal of respect for John Malkovich

You take a great story, excellent script, and a superb premise, and then you ruin it with the most pathetic Russian accent ever. I've been a Malkovich fan (Well at least for the most part) since Empire of the Sun. I've seen him dish out wonderful performances amidst poor movies, but what we have here appears to be the opposite. I really liked this movie, but Malkovich and his terrible accent almost ruined it for me. I can only imagine when this movie was being made the directors, producers, and all involved probably stood by, but didn't have the guts to tell Malkovich that his accent wasn't working. C'mon, you can't tell me they didn't notice it. They should have said something, but I'm sure they didn't want to insult the great actor. Some guys just command too much respect. Like no one was going to tell Williams his Boston accent wasn't cutting it in Good Will Hunting. I don't know, maybe it was intentional. Maybe Malkovich made this movie and did this accent just to see if anyone would actually say anything. He's probably sitting back and laughing about it with friends. It was way too flagrant to be unintentional. He was flaunting it for crying out loud. He even fell out of the accent at the end with that final outburst. Watch it again. Either way I've lost a great deal of respect for the man. No one should get paid that kind of money for such a ridiculous performance.

Poker Movie for Poker Players

This truly is an accurate poker movie. It follows the life of an aspiring young poker player who gives up his best friend, his girl friend and his law career to follow his true dream.

Critics have claimed that this movie lacks character development, and makes the mistake of developing characters that seemingly disappear during the movie. While this is true, I believe it was done purposefully, and is indicative of the life of a professional poker player.

The poker games are realistic and believable, which makes the movie a joy for serious players. Unfortunately, most poker fans will not understand all of the nuancnes and conventions used in the move. The main style of poker, no-limit hold 'em, is not a popular variety of poker unless you are a truly serious player.

In short, this is a great movie for serious poker fans, but will not be appreciated by the general audience.

Personally, I loved it. It ranks as one of my favorite movies, but I can understand how many people would not appreciate it.

Best Movie of 1998

Matt Damon and Edward Norton round out a great cast of characters in a drama about life as a rounder. I saw this movie three times not only for the screenplay but also for the acting. John Malkovich is Teddy KGB the owner of the poker club. Malkovich is a great actor, but has the worst Russian accent I have ever heard. My favorite part is when McDermott and Worm go and look for poker games so they can get money to pay KGB. This movie is highly recommended especially if you are poker player.