Film Review Card Counter: Hot or Not?

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Casinos, roulette and blackjack, are often featured in films but usually in a glamorous, glitzy way, even when associated with crime syndicates.

The Card Counter has a very different feel from the start, drawing the audience into a gritty world that is best described as grim and soulless.

With Martin Scorsese as the executive producer and starring Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaac, and Tye Sheridan, the line-up is impressive. But does it deliver on its promise?

Plot Outline

(Contains Spoilers)

Oscar Isaac stars as Willian Tell, an ex-convict who has adopted a new identity as a gambler, using his phenomenal recall to count cards. Targeting small casinos and keeping winnings modest to stay under the radar, Tell flits between motels, recreating an austere living environment that mimics his previous prison cell.

After slipping into a talk at an event given by military man Major John Gordo (Dafoe), Tell is recognised by Cirk Baufort (Tye Sheridan). Beaufort’s father was also a soldier convicted of the same crimes of abuse and torture in Abu Ghraib as Tell. As a result of Baufort’s conviction, his wife left him, and he went onto kill himself. Gordo was the superior and training officer and responsible for enforcing the torture and abuse. However, as a civilian, he escaped punishment completely.

Baufort is eaten up with rage and is planning on killing Gordo, and he asks Tell to help him. Rather than agree, Tell makes him a counteroffer: for Baufort to go on the road with him and learn his card counting techniques. This will enable Baufort to carve out a new life for him and his mum.

Baufort appears to go along with the plans but later confesses he still plans to murder Gordo. Tell gives the younger man $150,000 and threatens him with violence if he carries out his planned attack. He instructs him to take the money and return to his mum – Cirk leaves, apparently in agreement.

After Tell returns to the casino in a high-value, must-win game, he receives a message from Cirk. He admits that he hasn’t gone to visit his mum but is instead heading for Gordo.

A news report interrupts Tell’s concentration with the breaking story that Gordo has killed an armed intruder in his home – Cirk.

Tell travels to Gordo, holding him hostage at gunpoint and explaining why he is being targeted. Rather than killing him swiftly, the pair go into another room for a bloody re-enactment of the scenes at Abu Ghraib. Tell emerges seriously injured, but he rings the police and reports a murder. The film finishes with Tell banged up in the same military prison that he started in, seemingly content with the familiar routine and the basic surroundings that he kept recreating when he was free.

Dismal Yet Compelling

The world of William Tell isn’t a happy one, and he appears weary, despairing and full of self-loathing from the very start. His sense of discipline only eclipses his success as a gambler, but even that doesn’t appear to bring him any particular joy.

The narrative is compelling, dominated by violence and obsession, a drama that results in the inevitably tragic end. Played brilliantly by Isaac, Sheridan and Dafoe, it’s a tale of toxic masculinity, and the inescapable weight of past actions.

Blackjack in the Movies

Although Card Counter explores many deeper themes, the suspense, excitement and adrenaline rush of the casino is also beautifully captured. And this is something that is seen in many Hollywood movies, regardless of the overarching narrative.

Card Counter may be a bleak movie with an apocalyptic feel, but it still provides the space for the casino action to be captured in an authentic way.

There are many different styles of blackjack games, along with other table and card games, which are regularly featured in films and TV shows. Whether it’s the high life of a socialite or the seedy underworld of a crime ring, the nail-biting drama and thrill of casino games always translates well.

And it’s this frisson of excitement that is unavoidable in casino games, and why so many people play. Whether it’s free games at home, or high stakes in a VIP room, the adrenaline surge and the suspense that’s seen in the movies is something that’s irresistible, fun and very accessible to all.

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