A young, reformed gambler must return to playing high stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks, while balancing his relationship with his girlfriend and his commitments to law school.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Matt Damon | ... |
Mike McDermott
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| Gretchen Mol | ... |
Jo
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| John Malkovich | ... |
Teddy KGB
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Paul Cicero | ... |
Russian Thug
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| Ray Iannicelli | ... |
Kenny
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| John Turturro | ... |
Joey Knish
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| Merwin Goldsmith | ... |
Sy
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Sonny Zito | ... |
Tony
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| Josh Mostel | ... |
Zagosh
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| Mal Z. Lawrence | ... |
Irving
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| Lenny Clarke | ... |
Savino
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Peter Yoshida | ... |
Henry Lin
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Jay Boryea | ... |
Russian Thug #2
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| Lenny Venito | ... |
Moogie
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| Martin Landau | ... |
Abe Petrovsky
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| Richard Mawe | ... |
Professor Eisen
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| Michael Lombard | ... |
D.A. Shields
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| Tom Aldredge | ... |
Judge Marinacci
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| Beeson Carroll | ... |
Judge Kaplan
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E. Matthew Yavne | ... |
Professor Green
(as Matthew Yavne)
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| Edward Norton | ... |
Worm
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| Erik LaRay Harvey | ... |
Roy
(as Eric LaRay Harvey)
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| Dominic Marcus | ... |
Dowling
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| Brian Anthony Wilson | ... |
Derald
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| George Kmeck | ... |
Prison Guard
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Joseph Parisi | ... |
Property Guard
(as Joe Parisi)
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| Melina Kanakaredes | ... |
Barbara
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| Kohl Sudduth | ... |
Wagner
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Charlie Matthes | ... |
Birch
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| Hank Jacobs | ... |
Steiny
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| Chris Messina | ... |
Higgins
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| Famke Janssen | ... |
Petra
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| Michael Ryan Segal | ... |
Griggs
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| Kerry O'Malley | ... |
Kelly
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Slava Schoot | ... |
Roman
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| Goran Visnjic | ... |
Maurice
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| Michael Rispoli | ... |
Grama
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Michele Zanes | ... |
Taj Dealer
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| Allan Havey | ... |
Guberman
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Joey Vega | ... |
Freddy Face
(as Joe Vega)
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| Neal Hemphill | ... |
Claude
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Vernon E. Jordan Jr. | ... |
Judge McKinnon
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Johnny Chan | ... |
Johnny Chan
(as Jon C. Chan)
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| Lisa Gorlitsky | ... |
Sherry
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John Di Benedetto | ... |
LaRossa
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Nicole Brier | ... |
Sunshine
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| Bill Camp | ... |
Eisenberg
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Tony Hoty | ... |
Taki
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| Mario Mendoza | ... |
Zizzo
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| Joe Zaloom | ... |
Cronos
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Sal Richards | ... |
Johnny Gold
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| Josh Pais | ... |
Weitz
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| John Joseph Gallagher | ... |
Bartender
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| Adam LeFevre | ... |
Sean Frye
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P.J. Brown | ... |
Vitter
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| David Zayas | ... |
Osborne
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Michael Arkin | ... |
Bear
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| Murphy Guyer | ... |
Detweiler
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Alan Davidson | ... |
Cabbie
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Angelis Alexandris | ... |
Card Player (uncredited)
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| Akiko Ashley | ... |
Hooker (uncredited)
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| Dar Billingham | ... |
Cocktail Waitress (uncredited)
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Marcelline Block | ... |
Law Student (uncredited)
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| Tim Carr | ... |
Cardsharp (uncredited)
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Salvatore Cavaliere | ... |
State Trooper (uncredited)
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Hans Cozzens | ... |
Card Player (uncredited)
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| Brian Donahue | ... |
State Trooper (uncredited)
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| Bill Golodner | ... |
Russian Thug (uncredited)
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Michael Griffith | ... |
Broke Gambler (uncredited)
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Jason Hale | ... |
College Student (uncredited)
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Roberto Lopez | ... |
Card Player (uncredited)
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| Marshall Dancing Elk Lucas | ... |
Guy (uncredited)
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| George F. Miller | ... |
Prison Guard (uncredited)
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| Robert Sean Miller | ... |
State Trooper (uncredited)
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| Natasha Pavlovich | ... |
Hostess (uncredited)
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| Maria Soccor | ... |
Atlantic City Call Girl (uncredited)
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| Vinny Vella | ... |
Card Player at KGB's (uncredited)
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Directed by
| John Dahl | ||
Written by
| David Levien | ... | (written by) & |
| Brian Koppelman | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Bobby Cohen | ... | executive producer |
| Ted Demme | ... | producer |
| Tracy Falco | ... | associate producer |
| Christopher Goode | ... | associate producer |
| Kerry Orent | ... | executive producer |
| Joel Stillerman | ... | producer |
| Bob Weinstein | ... | executive producer |
| Harvey Weinstein | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Christopher Young | ||
Cinematography by
| Jean-Yves Escoffier | ... | director of photography (as Jean Yves Escoffier) |
Editing by
| Scott Chestnut | ||
Editorial Department
| Darren Block | ... | assistant editor |
| Gary Burritt | ... | negative cutter |
| John Scott Cook | ... | first assistant editor |
| Jim Cricchi | ... | assistant editor |
| David Hamme | ... | colorist |
| Stephen M. Rickert Jr. | ... | assistant editor |
| Richard J. Rossi | ... | first assistant editor |
| Mike Stanwick | ... | color timer |
| Joe Violante | ... | dailies advisor |
| John Gardiner | ... | colorist: dailies (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Avy Kaufman | ||
Production Design by
| Robert Pearson | ... | (as Rob Pearson) |
Art Direction by
| Rick Butler | ||
Set Decoration by
| Beth Kushnick | ||
Costume Design by
| Terry Dresbach | ||
Makeup Department
| Victor DeNicola | ... | key hair stylist |
| Rita Ogden | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Anthony Veader | ... | key hair stylist |
| Carla White | ... | key makeup artist |
Production Management
| Christopher Goode | ... | unit production manager |
| Robert Hackl | ... | post-production supervisor (as Robert A. Hackl) |
| Margo Myers | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Nina Jack | ... | second second assistant director |
| Roger Lee | ... | dga trainee |
| Peter Leto | ... | second assistant director |
| Christopher Swartout | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Dennis Causey | ... | set dresser |
| Ruth Ann Cecetka | ... | scenic shop person |
| Robert Currie | ... | on-set dresser |
| Paul Dale | ... | camera scenic artist |
| Harry Darrow | ... | assistant art director |
| Chris DeTitta | ... | leadman |
| Rich Devine | ... | assistant props (as Richard Devine) |
| Rochelle Edelson | ... | camera scenic artist |
| Tammy Feaster | ... | art department production assistant |
| Steven Gamiello | ... | second props (as Steve Gamiello) |
| Gilbert H. Gertsen | ... | set dresser (as Gilbert Gertsen) |
| Gordon Gertsen | ... | set dresser |
| James Geyer | ... | scenic artist (as Jim Geyer) |
| Jeffrey L. Glave | ... | scenic artist |
| Kevin Golden | ... | scenic foreman |
| Jonathan Graham | ... | key construction grip |
| Judy Gurr | ... | set dresser |
| Leo Holder | ... | graphic designer |
| Gary Jennings | ... | scenic artist |
| Lori Johnson | ... | assistant set decorator |
| Timothy Joliat | ... | set dresser (as Tim Joliet) |
| Heather Danielle Kane | ... | assistant property master (as Heather Kane) |
| Lara Kelly | ... | art department coordinator |
| Lisa Kent | ... | set dec buyer |
| Elina Kother | ... | scenic artist |
| Ross La Terra | ... | set dresser |
| Nick Miller | ... | construction coordinator |
| John Oates Jr. | ... | second |
| Joseph Proscia | ... | set dresser (as Joe Proscia) |
| Ann Sherrill | ... | scenic artist (as Anne Sherrill) |
| Ron Stone | ... | property master |
| Mitch Towse | ... | set dresser |
| Richard Bryan Douglas | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Peter Regnier | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
| Rosalie Russino | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
| Audrey Soodoo Raphael | ... | assistant art director (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Joel Roi Aronowitz | ... | second boom operator |
| Trip Brock | ... | dialogue editor |
| Kent Brown | ... | additional sound recordist |
| Zane D. Bruce | ... | foley artist |
| Michael Chandler | ... | sound editor |
| Chris David | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Mark Goodermote | ... | boom operator |
| Cindy Jo Hinkleman | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Bobby Johanson | ... | adr mixer |
| Jon Johnson | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Erick Jolley | ... | assistant to sound editor |
| Val Kuklowsky | ... | supervising adr editor |
| Ryan Murphy | ... | sound recordist |
| Jeffrey Perkins | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Miguel Rivera | ... | sound editor |
| Joseph T. Sabella | ... | foley artist |
| Andrew Schmetterling | ... | boom operator |
| Bruce Stubblefield | ... | dialogue editor |
| Robert Troy | ... | dialogue editor |
| Mark Weingarten | ... | sound |
| Ben Wilkins | ... | sound editor |
| Chris Winter | ... | assistant sound editor |
Special Effects by
| James Brown | ... | technical consultant |
| Edward Drohan | ... | special effects |
| John Ottesen | ... | special effects |
Stunts
| Peter Bucossi | ... | stunt trooper 1 |
| Bob Cotter | ... | stunt actor |
| Norman Douglass | ... | stunt trooper 2 |
| Jery Hewitt | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Jack Lotz | ... | stunt double: Sy |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Donald M. Angst | ... | electrician |
| Rafael August | ... | additional electrician |
| Bart Blaise | ... | second assistant camera |
| Matt Chubet | ... | company grip (as Matthew Chubet) |
| John Clifford | ... | still photographer |
| John Corso | ... | steadicam operator |
| James J. Ferris | ... | electrician (as Jim Ferris) |
| Matthew W. Flannery | ... | camera loader (as Matthew Flannery) |
| Michael Green | ... | camera operator |
| Pedro Hernández | ... | best boy grip |
| Marc Hirschfeld | ... | steadicam assistant |
| Jerry Holway | ... | director of photography: additional photography / steadicam operator |
| Lukasz Jogalla | ... | camera operator (as Lucas Jogalla) |
| Richard C. Kerekes | ... | dolly grip (as Rich Kerekes) |
| Peter Koola | ... | electrician |
| Gary Martone | ... | key grip |
| Michael J. Maurer | ... | electrician |
| John L. Oates | ... | electrician (as John Oates) |
| Darren Perkell | ... | second camera loader |
| Storn Peterson | ... | first assistant camera |
| Scott H. Ramsey | ... | gaffer |
| Darren Ryan | ... | video assist operator |
| Mark Schwentner | ... | best boy electric |
| Dustin Smith | ... | dolly grip |
| Sean Souza | ... | second assistant camera: "b" camera |
| Igor Srubshchik | ... | 24 frame video operator / video playback operator |
| Jonas Steadman | ... | focus puller |
| Larry Steinberg | ... | third grip |
| Franz Yeich | ... | third grip |
| Jason Micallef | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Michael 'Rodi' Rodia | ... | grip (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Byron Crystal | ... | extras casting |
| Carol Lewis | ... | casting: Los Angeles |
| Julie Lichter | ... | casting associate |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Jill E. Anderson | ... | assistant costumer (as Jill Anderson) |
| Sandi Figueroa | ... | costumer |
| Askia Won-Ling Jacob | ... | costume supervisor |
| Cheryl Kilbourne-Kimpton | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Alice Levy | ... | additional costumer |
| Emily Loreto | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Fionnuala M. Lynch | ... | additional costumer (as Fionnuala Lynch) |
| Bega Metzner | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Robert Pease | ... | set costumer |
Location Management
| Bill Barvin | ... | location manager |
| Guy Efrat | ... | location scout |
| Joseph E. Mennella | ... | location scout |
| Cesar Quinones | ... | location scout |
| Demian Resnick | ... | location assistant |
| Sam Rohn | ... | location scout |
Music Department
| Pete Anthony | ... | conductor / orchestrator |
| Sandy De Crescent | ... | orchestra contractor (as Sandy DeCrescent) |
| Greg Dennen | ... | scoring crew |
| Lori L. Eschler | ... | music editor: temp music (as Lori Eschler Frystak) |
| Mark Eshelman | ... | scoring crew |
| Robert Fernandez | ... | scoring mixer |
| Rick Frystak | ... | music consultant (as Ricky Frystak) |
| Tanya Noel Hill | ... | music editor |
| Susan McLean | ... | scoring crew (as Sue McLean) |
| Thomas Milano | ... | additional music editor |
| Randall Poster | ... | music supervisor |
| Jonathan Price | ... | orchestrator / scoring coordinator |
| David Reynolds | ... | score coordinator |
| Amanda Scheer-Demme | ... | music supervisor |
| Pat Weber | ... | scoring crew (as Patrick Weber) |
| Gernot Wolfgang | ... | scoring coordinator |
| Christopher Young | ... | orchestrator |
| Wayne Bergeron | ... | musician (uncredited) |
| Tom Brown | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| George Doering | ... | musician (uncredited) |
| M.B. Gordy | ... | musician: Percussion (uncredited) |
| Jim Hoffman | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| Jon Kull | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Marni Sanders | ... | copyist (uncredited) |
| Steven L. Smith | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| Randy Spendlove | ... | executive in charge of music: Miramax Films (uncredited) |
| Sebastian Toettcher | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Karl Vincent | ... | musician (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Lynn Lewis Lovett | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Hebert Ade | ... | driver |
| Bobby Alberga | ... | driver |
| Frank Appedu | ... | driver |
| Charlie Barron | ... | driver |
| Rich Battista | ... | driver |
| Billy Featherstone | ... | driver |
| Robert Featherstone | ... | driver |
| George Holtzer | ... | driver |
| Fred Momole | ... | driver |
| Regis Mullaney | ... | driver |
| John Raffone | ... | driver |
| Francis Volpe | ... | driver |
| Louis Volpe | ... | transportation captain (as Lou 'Sonny' Volpe) |
| Ralph Volpe | ... | transportation co-captain |
Additional Crew
| Tom Biglin | ... | photo double: Edward Norton |
| Carmella Caridi | ... | production counsel |
| Brian Carmichael | ... | playback video operator |
| Drew Clarke | ... | assistant: Matt Damon |
| Wendy Cohen | ... | clearance |
| Barbra Dannov | ... | assistant: Joel Stillerman |
| Robert Dawson | ... | title designer |
| Jennifer Demme | ... | set production assistant |
| Meryl Emmerton | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Jason Farrar | ... | unit production assistant |
| Samuel V. Franco | ... | assistant to producer |
| Cliff Fuller | ... | office production assistant |
| Christopher Gambale | ... | assistant to harvey weinstein |
| Ginger Gonzalez | ... | set production assistant |
| Pamela Hirsch | ... | office production assistant |
| Leah Holmes | ... | post production accountant |
| Mandy Key | ... | assistant to cast (as Amanda Key) |
| Kenneth M. Kroll | ... | production accountant (as Ken Kroll) |
| Cara Leibovitz | ... | unit publicist |
| Bill McAdams Jr. | ... | photo double: Matt Damon |
| Steve McAuliff | ... | animal wrangler |
| Michael McBrien | ... | production assistant |
| Donna McLeer | ... | assistant: Mr. Demme (as Donna Cintorrino) |
| Stacia Peters | ... | development assistant: Joel Stillerman |
| Luca Pizzaroni | ... | location scout |
| Scott Rosenstein | ... | production assistant |
| Michael Scelza | ... | poker technical consultant |
| Ted Shields | ... | set production assistant |
| Susan Strine | ... | assistant accountant |
| Sheryl Swann | ... | assistant: John Dahl |
| Will Sweeney | ... | assistant to executive producer |
| Andrew Vogliano | ... | production secretary |
| Tara Walls | ... | product placement |
| Stan Wiencko | ... | set production assistant |
| Andrew Zolot | ... | production coordinator |
| Tom Fahn | ... | adr voice casting (uncredited) |
| Ben Schoen | ... | end title typographer: Scarlet Letters (uncredited) |
| Cheri Zucca | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Doyle Brunson | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Johnny Chan | ... | the producers wish to thank |
| Seth Jaret | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- New Films International (1998) (Non-US)
- Miramax (1998) (United States) (theatrical)
- Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (1999) (Czechia) (theatrical)
- Bac Films (1999) (France) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (1999) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Filmes Castello Lopes (1999) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Laurenfilm (1999) (Spain) (theatrical)
- RCV Film Distribution (1999) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- RCV Film Distribution (Luxembourg) (theatrical)
- RCV Film Distribution (1999) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Scanbox Entertainment (1999) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Scanbox Entertainment (1999) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Scotia International Filmverleih (1999) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Sky Jemah Films (1999) (Philippines) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1999) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Buena Vista Home Video (1999) (United States) (VHS)
- Buena Vista Home Video (2002) (United States) (VHS)
- Buena Vista International (Brazil) (tv)
- Gativideo (2000) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Miramax (1999) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Miramax (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- RCV Home Entertainment (1999) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- RCV Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Reel Corporation (2006) (Australia) (DVD)
- Reel DVD (2006) (Australia) (DVD)
- STAR India (2007) (India) (tv) (Mumbai)
- STAR India (2009) (India) (tv) (Chennai)
- Scanbox Entertainment (1999) (Sweden) (DVD)
- StudioCanal (2015) (Germany) (DVD) (and Blu-ray)
- Universum Film (UFA) (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
- Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (2011) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Animal Actors (animals)
- DeLuxe Laboratories (color timing)
- Fury & Grace Digital (sound design)
- Howard Anderson Digital Effects (titles and opticals)
- International Recording (sound post-production)
- JoAnn Kane Music Service (music preparation)
- Lightnin' Production Rentals (transportation equipment)
- Panavision (camera and dollies)
- Sabron Payroll Services (payroll: orchestra)
- Scarlet Letters (end title typography)
- Sound One (adr)
- Studio Solutions Group (Film Rights Acquisition)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
John Dahl directed this exploration of New York private clubs devoted to high-stakes poker, with first-person narration from the film's central figure, law student Mike McDermott (Matt Damon), who loses his entire savings to Russian club owner Teddy KGB (John Malkovich). Mike then turns away from cards, devoting his attentions to his law studies and his live-in girlfriend Jo (Gretchen Mol), who's concerned when Mike's former gambling buddy Worm (Edward Norton) is released from prison. She has good reason to worry, since it takes Worm only a matter of minutes to draw Mike back into poker action. When she learns Mike has returned to the poker clubs, she moves out, and Mike begins to lose interest in his studies. Worm has a prison debt, and the threatening Grama (Michael Rispoli) wants the money. Mike not only indulges the irresponsible Worm, he gets involved in Worm's debts. When Grama demands $15,000 on a five-day deadline, the two buddies go into high gear with a non-stop, no-sleep gambling binge that spirals downward toward an ultimate confrontation with Teddy KGB. |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | You've got to play the hand you're dealt. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $12,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $8,459,126, 13 Sep 1998 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Matt Damon and Edward Norton played the $10,000 buy-in Texas Hold 'Em (No Limit) championship event at the 1998 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. During the first of four days, Matt Damon had pocket Kings and was knocked out by former world champion and poker legend Doyle Brunson who held pocket Aces. See more » |
| Goofs | Mike goes to a check cashing place with a personal check for $10,000 from his professor. Check cashing businesses never cash personal checks on the same day; they require a 3-5 day waiting period so the check can clear. And even if it was a payroll check, the business would have taken a percentage to cash it, so Mike would not have had the full $10,000 to bring to the game. The filmmakers have stated (in interview with ESPN.com's Bill Simmons) that the cash checking location is run by a friend of his professor's, but the scene was cut to bring the film's running time down. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Rounders/Kiki's Delivery Service/Simon Birch/Slums of Beverly Hills/Digging to China (1998). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Baby, I'm A Big Star Now See more » |
| Quotes |
Mike McDermott:
[Narrating while entering Teddy KGB's underground gambling parlor]
In "Confessions of a Winning Poker Player," Jack King said, "Few players recall big pots they have won, strange as it seems, but every player can remember with remarkable accuracy the outstanding tough beats of his career." It seems true to me, cause walking in here, I can hardly remember how I built my bankroll, but I can't stop thinking of how I lost it. See more » |