I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

This is not a review, only a question. Why the money used in the film is blue ? Is the story supposed to be taking place in Canada ? Well, it's obvious that it's not taking place in Canada.

Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is an arrogant unlikeable mediocre literature professor, novelist, and one of the world's worse blackjack players. He is self destructive and much of the movie involves him attempting to get out of his gambling debts, getting the money to help, but then not using it. He has an odd relationship with one of his students (Brie Larson) and looks to borrow money from a shirtless John Goodman, a sight I could have been spared. Goodman revives his famous line from "The Big Lebowski" but not with the same bravado.The film attempts to study the character of Bennett and bores us by trying to make him "complex" when all he really was just a moody underachiever dissatisfied with life, welcome to the club. About an hour into the film I was yearning for the awful Kenny Rogers version, willing to settle for his Progressive commercial.I would recommend waiting to see this when it becomes a cheap rental.Guide: F-bomb. No sex. Stripper nudity (Chanon Finley)

In my opinion (and anyone is free to argue with it), I believe that a great character can carry a less-than-satisfactory story, but that a great story falls through with inferior characters.Of course, the perfect combination would be for a film to have both story and character, but The Gambler, for me, undeniably fits the former description. Despite the rather high rating I'm not going to say that the plot was perfect, or that the setting was perfectly accurate for the subject matter. The plot did indeed have some flaws, and some of them were not entirely believable or fully explained, not to mention that anyone looking for a movie that revolves around gambling will be sorely disappointed. However, fans of Mark Wahlberg will more than likely find the film entertaining and a captivating ride. Wahlberg delivers an exceptionally strong performance as Jim Bennett, who runs toward rather than away from problems, has a rather skewed list of priorities, and very black-and-white opinions. It was refreshing to see such a different role played by Wahlberg, and even though the character's message and disposition is one that can be far from likable, it was certainly exciting to watch. Supporting cast Lange, Larson and Goodman also get their moments to shine, both by being expressive foils of Bennett as well as delivering artful pieces of dialog. Overall, the film delivers if you're looking for great acting and an entertaining and stylish- if not entirely realistic- story. The film falls a little flat getting across a lasting message or showcasing the highest standard of film making, but it does portray an intriguing perspective on personality, human nature, and how one chooses to live their life. Don't expect stunning originality or excess sophistication, but do sit back, relax, and enjoy the acting, dialogue, and bright moments the film delivers.

If you're expecting anyone to get murdered in this film, you're going to be very disappointed. There's almost no violence which is something i expected after seeing the trailer. i honestly think you could watch the trailer and be more satisfied than actually watching the film. the only good part about the movie was john Goodman. it almost seems like the movie will be good within the first ten minutes but it just goes downhill from there. I expect to see a lot more crime going on when i see a movie like this. HUGE let down. I almost stopped watching but i was sure someone was going to be murdered toward the end. it never happened. it was a waste of two hours. don't watch it.