Deal (I) (2008)

As an ex-gambler teaches a hot-shot college kid some things about playing cards, he finds himself pulled into the world series of poker, where his protégé is his toughest competition.

Director:

Gil Cates Jr.

Writers:

Gil Cates Jr. (screenplay), Marc Weinstock (screenplay)

Stars:

Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison, Shannon Elizabeth

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Reynolds	...	Tommy Vinson
Bret Harrison	...	Alex Stillman
Shannon Elizabeth	...	Michelle
Maria Mason	...	Helen Vinson
Gary Grubbs	...	Mr. Stillman
Caroline McKinley	...	Mrs. Stillman
Charles Durning	...	Charlie Adler
Brandon Olive	...	Ben Thomas
Jennifer Tilly	...	Karen 'Razor' Jones
Jon Eyez	...	Mike 'Double Diamond' Jackson (as Jon 'JT' Eyes)
J.D. Evermore	...	Tex Button
Mike Sexton	...	Himself (as Michael Sexton)
Vincent Van Patten	...	Himself
Phil Laak	...	Himself
Antonio Esfandiari	...	Himself

Storyline

Law school graduate Alex Stillman isn't happy as junior clerk in his domineering father's firm but finds distraction as highly gifted Internet poker player. Legendary Tommy Vinson, who retired 20 years ago for his wife's sake, successfully offers to coach Alex for half of the fortunate he can learn to win in Las Vegas. The training, focusing on bluffing and dirty tricks, goes well until Alex feels abused by a girl hired by Vinson. They end up both entering the world tour grand final.

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Plot Keywords:

mentor | adolescent | gambling | bare chested male | poker player | 

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Taglines:

Soms komt er van gestolen goed, wel iets goeds!

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 June 2008 (Germany)

Also Known As:

A Arte do Jogo

Filming Locations:

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$35,281 (USA) (25 April 2008)

Gross:

$57,180 (USA) (2 May 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Seven Arts Pictures, Tag Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the film's climax, the World Poker Tour set was shipped to New Orleans for filming.

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Goofs

During the WPT Championship sequence, Commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten call the play from the start of the tournament to it's finish. This never happens with WPT coverage. In the WPT T.V. episodes, Sexton and Van Patten only commentate on the final table coverage.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 26 April 2008 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Anxious"
Written & Performed by Kenneth Burgomaster

User Reviews

Quite nice

I saw this film last night and I liked it. Burt Reynolds was the right choice for the part and Bret Harrison was convincing. In spite of a basic storyline they took the poker-concept serious. Shannon Elizabeth's part is what surprised me the most, I will not spoil it for anyone, it was just something else. It has been a while since her last film and I have to say she still has her man-enchanting skills.

So in a nutshell: A nice, OK movie with a sort of debuting Bret Harrison, a Burt Reynolds right in it's place and a comeback for Shannon Elizabeth which is definitely worth a watch, especially for pokerfans. I hope to see more of Bret and Shannon.