Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #52711 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-01-07
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, Hebrew, Russian
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 116 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
A little drunk on its own arcane exotica as a gambling movie, Rounders is a film that takes us inside a world of high-stakes card players but falls short on such essentials as character development and relationships. Still, it is a real curiosity, written by a couple of guys (David Levien and Brian Koppelman) who appear to know something about the dark underbelly of card hustling for fun and profit. Matt Damon stars as a reluctant law student who can't put aside his subterranean career of playing poker and blackjack for big money. After he loses his post-grad nest egg to a weird Russian kingpin (John Malkovich)--and also loses his disgusted girlfriend (Gretchen Mol) in the process--Damon's character turns to an unreliable old buddy (Edward Norton) for a dangerous game of sharking wherever there happens to be a game underway: frat boys, cops, bad dudes, you name it. Norton appears to be living out every young actor's fantasy of re-creating Robert De Niro's prot! otypical head case in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, and while his performance is burdened by obvious quotation marks, his estimable talent still shines through. Damon's charm and intelligence bring some oomph to the curiously flat proceedings, and while his hushed, soul-bearing scenes with Martin Landau (as a law professor who takes a shine to the kid) seem gratuitous, they're still nice to watch. Behind all this is director John Dahl (Red Rock West), who is not exactly at the top of his game here but who brings his distinctive toughness to the crime-noir tone.--Tom Keogh, Amazon.com

Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
English

Synopsis
Damon is Mike McDermott, a law student who has given up his true talent (and love), gambling, when he loses all of his money to Teddy KGB (Malkovich in a hilarious role). Months later, when his friend Worm (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 (Mol). Tightly written, beautifully photographed by the brilliant Escoffier, and well-played all across the board (particularly by Norton), this is a work of slick, enjoyable entertainment.

Customer Reviews

rounders
Just brilliant. Philosophy, examining the inner self, finding your path all while Gambling. I know nothing about "Texas Hold em" but i so much wanna learn now, The story is so involving, acting is top notch too. Not many will see this but so many people should. It's just one of those "great find" movies you didnt know anything about but so glad you watched it. Matt Damon (always engaging), Edward Norton (So reliable), John Malkovich (the man is a legend), Martin Landau and John Turturro (both exceptional) make this film watchable and enjoyable. Some more great support too but the film shines and is instantly a winner. You'll be itching to play poker after this one.

Brilliant, put Texas Hold-em on the map!
It's rare to see a movie on this subject let alone one with as much realism and a thoroughly convincing storyline. Damon and Norton both have great screen presence and manage to really get a grip on what it means to be a Rounder!

I've played professional poker now for 5 years and believe that this movie helped make Texas Hold-em Poker more popular.(Certainly in the UK!)

...and I dont even like poker.
Norton must be one of the most undervalued actors in hollywood! Can anyone recall a recent film that he has done badly? Didnt think so.

This movie is excellent despite the typical American Happy ending. Watching this film I never got bored, not once, because this movie has everything that a timeless classic needs. Romance, violence (Brilliant Bar Scene), wit and great acting all make this a brilliant movie.