Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4794 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-07-06
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 116 minutes

From the Label
Academy Award winner Matt Damon ("Good Will Hunting", Best Original Screenplay, 1997; "Ocean’s Twelve", "The Bourne Supremacy") and Edward Norton ("The Italian Job", "The 25th Hour") star in a gripping story of passion and risk involving today’s hottest game – high stakes poker. After losing nearly everything playing cards, Mike (Damon) gives up gambling for law school and a fresh start. But then his best buddy (Norton) gets out of prison and in over his head with a ruthless card shark John Malkovich ("Being John Malkovich"). From there, Mike’s strong sense of loyalty – and the lure of the game – draws him back to the tables in a gamble he cannot afford to lose. Featuring all-new bonus materials, this must-have Special Edition DVD includes "How to Play Poker" set top games, tips from famous real-life poker champions and much more!

From the studio
Set Top Games: How To Play Poker And Texas Hold ’Em

Tips From Real Poker Champions

Synopsis
Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is a law student who has given up his true talent (and love), gambling, when he loses all of his money to Teddy KGB (John Malkovich in a hilarious role). Months later, when his friend Worm (Edward Norton) gets out of jail and is on a strict deadline to repay a $15,000 debt to Teddy, he must decide whether or not to help his friend, threatening his student status and relationship with his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol). Tightly written, beautifully photographed by the brilliant Jean-Yves Escoffier, and well-played all across the board (particularly by Norton), this is a work of slick, enjoyable entertainment.

Customer Reviews

Very good.
Matt Damon is Mike McDermott, a law student who is also a gambler. He is trying hard to stay away from poker and focus on his studies but... I won't spoil it for you by telling anymore. All I can say is the film is very good. You won't regret spending your time on watching it despite Malkovich's dodgy Russian accent :). Performances are solid with Damon and Norton keeping you interested all the way till the end. Good film.

One for the collection
After much debate i gave this film four stars on the merit that it shows that contrary to belife, Matt Damon CAN act!!! Edward Norton gives another solid performance in a slightly lack luster role.

The plot is generally good, giving the vewier time to attatch to the charachters and follow them with ease, John Malcovich is great, shame he dosent get more screen time!

In all its a film that will sit on the shelf as a good solid well thought out film, but will never reach the dizzy heights of the all time great films.

Poker for beginners
Not a bad film, and one that will make a few people view the poker scene as a seedy, corrupt world - something which possibly still can be in the wrong places, but it makes this film look a little dated. Damon is good in his role but Malkovich, really, seems to think this is a pantomine. His accent alone is enough to make you laugh at everyhting he says, no matter how much malice it is meant to carry.

If you play poker you will have seen this, or you will have been meaning to see it. If you don't play then you'll still enjoy it anyway.