The Gambler

This movie stars Mark Wahlberg as Jim Bennett.  He is a literature professor with a severe gambling addiction.  He owes $260,000 to the proprietor of an underground gambling ring and is told he has one week to pay off the debt or he will be killed.    He then borrows money from a loan shark to pay off the debt but instead gambles it away.

Jim comes from a wealthy family.  His mother, Roberta (Jessica Lange), gives him the money to pay off both debts, but he again gambles it away.    One of his students shows promise as a writer and he falls for her.    She is soon threatened as well.  He now contemplates borrowing money from another loan shark who is played by John Goodman. 

I enjoyed this movie but there were some scenes that I didn’t like.  Some of the characters didn’t add anything to the movie.  Mark Wahlberg was terrific as was Jessica Lange and John Goodman.  

The performances were better than the directing.  Rupert Wyatt was the director.  He should have given his attention to the whole movie instead of just the beginning.   I gave this movie 2 ½ out of 4 stars.