The Gambler (2013) User Reviews

Dark movie that lefts some questions unanswered, which is okay

[markusbucher · 9/10 · 11 November 2013]

I watched this movie at the Internationales Fimfestival Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany. I watched it together with some Lithuanian people. I liked this movie as it is very special.

Technically it is done very well. Not too many effects, nice cuts and setting. The plot is okay but the development of the characters is often not clear. Some decisions they make don't seem to make sense. Especially being a father I didn't understand the way, Ieva handles her son's problems. As the ending is in a way open I had to think a lot about it and the whole movie which is good in my opinion.

The actors play their roles very good. I am looking forward seeing more of them.

A dark bleak gem from Lituania

[searchanddestroy-1 · 2 January 2015]

A first aid emergency squad member is a compulsive gambler, addictive to all kind of bets. He is also pressed by a brutal loan shark who doesn't hesitate to beat him in order to get his money back. So, our lead decides to organize an undercover bet business, and at a large scale. He and his colleagues - and not only because the business spreads out - set up a big off shore company providing large amounts of money. Big big cash for the gamblers. Their game is nothing less than betting on the possibility for the patients - or victims they rescue - to die or not...In summary, they bet on people's death. Or possible death. An unusual scheme, not for all audiences, but that may sound familiar with another topic which I watched last month: NIGHT CALL, with a scheme nearly like this one. Very inventive. But also very very dark and with a downbeat ending. Typically from Eastern Europe.