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:

Know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em. The game is on!

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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

Jennifer Tilly is the only professional poker player in the film to play a character rather than appear as themselves. She is a world series of poker ladies champion who appears in the film with her boyfriend and fellow poker pro Phil Laak.

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Goofs

During the WPT Championship tournament sequence, when play gets to 9-handed, the remaining players are split between two tables. This is never the case in the WPT final. When the tournament gets down to 10-players, all ten are combined to one final table, not two tables as shown in the film.

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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

Creaky, worn-out drama

"Deal" is the oldie about the retired card shark - who's sworn off the game for love of a good woman - who serruptitiously takes a promising young whippersnapper under his wing to train him in the fine art of high-stakes poker. Burt Reynolds is the leathery old pro and Bret Harrision his green, but cocky pupil who together head to Vegas and New Orleans for an intense session of training and instruction. But will Tommy be able to resist the lure of the tables and not mount a comeback of his own? And will we finally wind up with the card shark and the neophyte squaring off in a televised multi-million-dollar tournament to determine the very best poker player in the whole wide world? I'll see you and raise you on that bet.

As a subject for film, poker is already one of the least compelling forms of competition there is, and "Deal" does little to rectify that situation. Moreover, the characters and plot lines are so hopelessly hackneyed and uninspired that we spend most of our time just waiting for the scenes to play themselves out. Harrison lacks charisma as the upstart newbie, but Reynolds brings a degree of gravitas to his overly-familiar role of a has-been trying to achieve the victory and personal glory he missed out on the first time around.

But you'll wind up feeling as enervated as the players long before the final hand is played.