Rounders: An Excellent Film About Poker
Rounders is released in1998, a film that deals with the everyday life of some underground world characters that do their living playing high-stakes poker. The film is directed by the illustrious John Dahl and starred Edward Norton and Matt Damon, the movie pursues the story of two friends who is in dire need of cash to get rid of their huge debt which they will do by playing poker. The expression "rounder" stand for a person whose only source of income is by means of playing cards.
The picture was released to mixed analysis and rake only modest return of investment. However, Rounders becomes an alternative hit due to Texas hold'em continuing popularity.
Plot
Rounders revolves around the life of Mike McDermott,(played by Matt Damon) an ex rounder, who is sandwiched between a promise to his fiancée Jo (Gretchen Mol) to focus on his studies and his allegiance to his buddy Les Murphy . Recently released from prison, Lester incurred a huge gambling debt. He gradually persuades Mike to help him in paying his debt through his poker's expertise, in the process totally wrecking is relationship with fiancée Jo and putting their lives at risks.
Production
Rounders started its production in late December and was in location mostly in the state of New York set began filming in December of 1997 and was set mostly in New York, however, the law school segments were shot at Rutgers Law School in New Jersey.
Featured cast
* Matt Damon in the role of Mike McDermott * Edward Norton in the role of Lester 'Worm' Murphy * John Turturro in the role of Joey Knish * Gretchen Mol in the role ofJo * John Malkovich in the role of Teddy KGB * Famke Janssen in the role of Petra * Michael Rispoli in the role of Grama * Martin Landau in the role of Abe Petrovsky
Reception
Even though the film did not do well at the theaters gate, Rounders has soon been identified as an offbeat film, in particular to poker fans. In an exciting who came first case, some critics consider the film as a big factor in boosting the popularity of poker particularly Texas holdem but others have an opposite opinions declaring that the sudden rise of poker's popularity is not because of the film but it is the other way around, the film's gradual rise in popularity is a result of poker's sudden acceptance by people.
2003 WSOP winner Chris Moneymaker as well as Jamie Gold the winner of the 2006 edition of WSOP both have mention in the film as respectively fueling and triggering their attention and love in poker. The film is a by-word in most physical casinos and all internet poker rooms.