Deal (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, Maria Mason

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 Ray Olive	...	Ben Thomas (as Brandon Olive)
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:

coach | poker player | nightclub | drinking | scolding | 

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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:

Negócios e Trapaças

Filming Locations:

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$35,281, 27 April 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$57,180, 4 May 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the film's climax, the World Poker Tour (2003) 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

References Girls Gone Wild on Campus 2 (2003)

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Soundtracks

Anxious
Written & Performed by Kenneth Burgomaster

User Reviews

predictable and underdeveloped

Very poorly developed, the movie simply jumps into poker and fails to ever develop its characters or any interest in them.

If you're a poker fan you'll probably enjoy watching this fictional version of World Tournament of Poker et al.

But again, it's fictional, and apparently an opportunity for several big-name washed-out actors (Burt Reynolds, Jennifer Tilly) to get a job.

But since it's fictional and the characters are simply pretend, there's nothing in this movie that causes your empathy or excitement to root for them, unfortunately.

What a bum-deal.