Owning Mahowny

Invisible, subtly designed story about a player's passion that led one clerk astray. The film may lack the atmosphere of The Croupier or the attractive story of Casino, but it has two significant advantages that reliably elevate the film above average. The first is the presence of the excellent P.S. Hoffman in the main role, and the second is John Hurt in the role of his opponent. Excellent character psychology, decent direction. A small film about a big fraud. Overall impression: 75%. (14.08.2008)

I can't say that Owning Mahowny is about nothing. It's just that I found the thing it's about so desperately boring and unbearably long-winded that I had a hard time sticking with it to the end. Seriously. Two and a half stars are deserved especially the unsympathetic, sweaty Philip Seymour Hoffman and (the only character I understood in this film) the casino owner played brilliantly by John Hurt. Otherwise, a pretty uninteresting, grey bore that I probably shouldn't have bet on. (23.07.2011)