The Card Counter

“He's Playing the Hand He Was Dealt.”

6.1

2021

1h 51m

DramaThrillerCrime

Director: Paul Schrader

Overview

William Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk, a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a military colonel. Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk. But keeping Cirk on the straight-and-narrow proves impossible, dragging Tell back into the darkness of his past.

Trailer

Official Trailer Official

Cast

William Tell

Oscar Isaac

William Tell

La Linda

Tiffany Haddish

La Linda

Cirk

Tye Sheridan

Cirk

Gordo

Willem Dafoe

Gordo

Mr. USA

Alexander Babara

Mr. USA

Slippery Joe

Bobby C. King

Slippery Joe

Sara

Ekaterina Baker

Sara

Minnesota

Bryan Truong

Minnesota

Sergeant Hoskins

Dylan Flashner

Sergeant Hoskins

Crystal

Adrienne Lau

Crystal

Ronnie

Joel Michaely

Ronnie

Nancy

Rachel Michiko Whitney

Nancy

Reviews

itsogs

I had a little trouble following the story, and I thought it was somewhat dark. I am sure there is an audience for this kind of production, but I struggled to make it to the end. On the plus side, Oscar Isaac did a good job portraying his part.⭐⭐⭐

Read full review

ummagumma

A confused mess... Spoilers towards the end are flagged. The main storyline is only driven by a strange decision by an older man to invite an obviously mentally unstable 20 something year old man on an all expenses paid road trip across America... For reasons, the mentally unstable man then decides, as any guy in his early 20's when propositioned to be escorted across country in a car by a virtual stranger as a Piaf companion, he says yes... The whole movie is spent guessing at the relationships, one minute the mentally unstable kid is "an insolent little prick" the next he's "a good kid that needs help". You see the love interest saddened by the fact the main character regards her, essentially a stranger, as a friend but then just goes with it for reasons. This whole movie is driven by weird decision after weird decision, like the inclusion of card playing, despite the name it is nothing more than a plot moving device to explain why this weird decision has a slightly different background to the previous weird decision. All in all I feel the writer tried to do too much and as a result produced very little but confusion **Spoilers below .... Spoilers below** In the end I felt like the main protagonist just deciding to take turns with the antagonist torturing each other just for reasons... Ok movie... Now it's my turn.

Read full review

Manuel São Bento

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/the-card-counter-spoiler-free-review "The Card Counter is a protagonist-driven narrative focused on a hauntingly captivating redemption arc intensely elevated by an exceptional lead performance from Oscar Isaac. The actor ends his remarkable year interpreting a complex, mysterious character with who viewers must connect in order to truly enjoy Paul Schrader's layered storytelling. From the effective flashbacks and rich narration to the unexpected final plot developments, the writer-director tackles guilt and moral responsibility in a somewhat convoluted manner with a few pacing issues. Despite a rather expository first act too centered on gambling information, this is a must-watch movie of the upcoming awards season. Beautifully shot, excellent performances, and a story that will stick with you after it ends." Rating: B+

Read full review