**May contain some spoilers**
I wanted to enjoy this movie, I really did.
Too many flashbacks during the first half the movie - it was ridiculous.
The acting especially during the more emotional scenes was pretty bad. I thought Dominique Swain's performance was uneven at best. At times, she was okay but in some scenes I thought she was pretty bad.
I like Michael Madsen but he didn't have a lot work with here and his character disappears for most of the movie. It's always nice to see Louis Gossett Jr, and I wish he was in more of the film in a mentoring role (for Swain).
The supporting cast was charming enough but not really adequate.
I think this film tried to accomplish too much. A gambling father, a relationship between father and daughter (and wife), a medical school career challenge, a conspiracy at medical school, a relationship with a boyfriend, a poker championship and a reuniting of father and daughter.
I think it would have worked much better if the film stuck to Swain trying to win at Poker and being mentored by Louis Gossett Jr and Michael Madsen. Forget about showing Medical School and the conspiracy.
I don't know how I managed to watch the whole movie but the best scenes were during the Poker matches and when Madsen, and Gossett Jr. were on screen.
I wanted to enjoy this movie, I really did.
Too many flashbacks during the first half the movie - it was ridiculous.
The acting especially during the more emotional scenes was pretty bad. I thought Dominique Swain's performance was uneven at best. At times, she was okay but in some scenes I thought she was pretty bad.
I like Michael Madsen but he didn't have a lot work with here and his character disappears for most of the movie. It's always nice to see Louis Gossett Jr, and I wish he was in more of the film in a mentoring role (for Swain).
The supporting cast was charming enough but not really adequate.
I think this film tried to accomplish too much. A gambling father, a relationship between father and daughter (and wife), a medical school career challenge, a conspiracy at medical school, a relationship with a boyfriend, a poker championship and a reuniting of father and daughter.
I think it would have worked much better if the film stuck to Swain trying to win at Poker and being mentored by Louis Gossett Jr and Michael Madsen. Forget about showing Medical School and the conspiracy.
I don't know how I managed to watch the whole movie but the best scenes were during the Poker matches and when Madsen, and Gossett Jr. were on screen.