Rounders is one of those dark films I end up loving, just from its realism. Set in New York, the film follows Mike McDermott (Matt Damon), a law student who has given up the poker profession to preserve his relationship with a woman.

The serpent in this paradise is in the form of Mike's old friend, Lester "The Worm" Murphy, who is getting out of prison and needs to start working up a bankroll to pay off a loan shark debt.

Rounders introduces us to the real game of poker. This is an eye-opener to us who haven't live in that world. Phrases like "If you don't spot the sucker in 30 minutes, you are the sucker" draws in the audience.

There are a few things that don't work in this fall-from-grace story. The girlfriend is a two-dimensional bitch. There is no depth to their relationship. McDermott has a more intimate bond with his professor than with the woman he's sleeping with. Second, "The Worm" just isn't the type you'd want to keep getting in the hole for. There's nothing sympathetic in the character.

What's fun is the education one gets in poker. What's appalling is the idea that just maybe it's better for this man to quit law school and try his luck in Las Vegas. It's a dark movie. A feel-good happy ending would have gone against the grain.

Slight Suction!

Film Facts

Cast
• Matt Damon
• Edward Norton
• John Turturro
• Gretchen Mol
• Famke Janssen
• John Malkovich
• Martin Landau
• Michael Rispoli
• Melina Kanakaredes
• Josh Mostel
• Lenny Clarke
• Tom Aldredge
• Vernon E. Jordan Jr.

Directed by John Dahl

Released in 1998

MPAA Rating: R

Reviewed by Mongo