Gambler, The

“The Gambler” was remade in 2014 starring Mark Wahlberg. It’s an OK film as long as you have never seen this version. Some films really can’t be remade because the ingredients that made them special can’t be duplicated; this is such a film. Sam Goldwyn once said that it is the last five minutes of a movie that makes it memorable. The air of anticipation and sense of dread that runs through the 1974 version gives way to a finale that is impossible to forget. James Caan, in a performance that at first seems wooden but turns out to be just about perfect, plays Axel Freed, a college professor with an addiction to gambling. Gambling rules Axel's life to the point where it undermines his loyalty to his family, his girlfriend and ultimately himself. Although he is absorbed with gambling, he comes from a privileged background. This back-story gives "The Gambler" an unusual edge. His mother is a leading surgeon at a large city hospital and his grandfather, who he reveres, is a wealthy Jewish immigrant who has made good on the American Dream. Axel is also seriously in debt and it is a condition that does not change much throughout the movie. Unfortunately he is in debt to people who do not forgive non-payment. After borrowing money from his mother to pay off the debt, he takes his girlfriend to Las Vegas and gambles it instead. It is as though he is forcing the odds to the point where he will be destroyed. His girlfriend, Billie, played by Lauren Hutton, who is attracted to Axel’s sense of danger, finds him even too reckless for her. To save himself, Axel is forced to morally descend to the lowest point in his life. Finally, he receives the horrible punishment he seems to seek by pushing his luck in the wrong end of town. The film ends with a cinematic image not easily erased from the memory. The screenplay by James Toback was largely autobiographical. He must have been seeking catharsis through the painful self-revelations in this story, which if it makes any point it is that the ultimate objective of the chronic gambler is to lose. Karel Reisz directed the film in a dispassionate manner that adds to its power. This is a film with little sympathy or compromise. It is difficult for the audience to like Axel. He seems alienated from the normal joys of life. The only way he can lift his emotional level is to walk along the edge of the precipice. An unusual background score helps give the film its all-pervading mood. Based on Mahler's Symphony #1, "The Titan", the score was arranged by Jerry Fielding, a fine composer in his own right. Despite its classical origins, Mahler's work in this film sounds ominous and surprisingly contemporary. It's only when it's over that you realise how remarkable “The Gambler” really is – without a doubt, one of the most arresting films of the 1970's.

Axel Freed (James Caan) is a literature professor from a wealthy family with a chronic gambling problem; he owes $44,000 to the Mafia, pointing out that ‘for $10,000 they break your arms, for $20,000 they break your legs'. Under the attentive watch of his bookkeeper, Lips (Paul Sorvino), Freed desperately tries to settle his debt while holding together his relationship with his girlfriend, Billie (Lauren Hutton), and fighting the urge to continue raising the stakes. Caan's performance is excellent with masking bravado, the fear, and emptiness that is slowly overwhelming him. He deftly portrays the greedy, selfish, ungrateful character with skill. The Gambler ranks amongst the best films about addiction, tapping into the single-minded absorption that fuels the addictive personality. To the gambler, success or failure is immaterial, the money is unimportant; they are addicted to risk, putting reason and rationality to one side in pursuit of the initial thrill that hooked them.

I was commenting to my Mother how this film from 1974 had it been made today would have at most been a PG-13 film. But in 1974 it was over the top. There were only two or three instances of curse words used and one brief spell of nudity. Other than that it's a tame movie other than its subject matter. My Mother is an English Literature Professor and she recognized the irony in Dostoevsky in "The Gambler". James can plays a college professor who is a chronic gambler. He gambles and gambles and gambles to the point where even his acquaintances in the life begin to question him. Even when bailed out by his Mother Caan still gambles the money that she gave to him! To me it makes no sense but to anyone who has been a gambler they can understand the plight that this character goes through. It's very sad and as Caan's character goes into the depths he is forced to solicit a basketball player's assistance in point shaving. this saves Caan's character but despite this "second chance" he ends up back where he started when he puts himself and his reputation on the line. The ending of the movie is a bit far-fetched but it matches the tone of his character, a man who has no self control over his actions, a man who lives a double life but in that second life cannot control himself. I highly recommend this film. I give it Four Stars. I'm the 176th person to review the 1974 original film. I will also review the 2014 version. Buy this and you won't be disappointed. A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.

I first saw this movie at age 24. I remember it as a cool and realistic movie regarding the world of sports investing. I was a degenerate gambler and again thought it was quite cool. Now that I am 62 and still a degenerate gambler I found my perspective has changed. It was a dark and disturbing movie. Again, very realistic. James Caan was brilliant as the pathological protagonist. He did win a Golden Globe doe best actor the year the movie was released. By the way, it was the first time I rented a movie from Amazon and the eerie nice was easy and a lot of fun.

Although some would say this movie was "done well," and I would agree, I found the ending to be empty and absurd. James Caan plays a character who's both likable and loathsome. It's hard to pull that off, so hats off to him, the script-writers, and director. To me the movie would've been just fine without the ending. The ending feels absurd, cheesy, and empty. I walked away from this film wondering why I ever watched it in the first place. It feels like you're in this hole that just keeps going down, but maybe that's the point. Would I recommend watching it? Sure, if you have the stomach for what's rated R in this movie... because it's a great James Caan movie otherwise.

I'll be honest, I wasn't a huge James Cann fan prior to this film. But, this film is phenomenal!! And James Cann is beyond phenomenal in it. The film is suffocating, relentless, and fascinating. It's a drama with moments of sad comedy. But, it is probably one of the darker movies I've ever seen. And, the film stuck in my mind for days after watching it. The review by Mezz sums this movie up better than I can. But, I will just reiterate, I really really enjoyed this film!

I suppose there are James Caan fans that will disagree with me but I consider this his best work in a film. I’m not gonna talk about plot or the ending- which has drawn criticism - or anything about the film but I will simply say that IMHO it’s worth viewing if you’re a fan of Mr. Caan’s work.

Despite multiple attempts in multiple ways, the movie wouldn't play. It kept starting and then going back to 00.00. Had to rent it from a different site. Other Amazon-rented movies have played without a problem, so there was something wrong with this one.

Maybe Reisz best film although not one of his most famous. james Caan in his lifetime performance, he gives all the shades of grey of this lost man, in a fantastic adaptation of Dostoyewski. Bitter, dry, dramatic, classy and tough at the same time

A superb film but the picture quality is no better than VHS.

Very well acted, gritty storyline, so well done all round. It begs the question, why no bluray anywhere in the world?

Great movie.Good acting.Just try it, I know I did ,without knowing much about it beforehand but I was surprised how good it is.neglected 70s....

Very Happy!! 10/10