From the writer of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull and director of American Gigolo comes this revenge thriller about an ex-military guy haunted by the ghosts of his past, who turns to gambling to salvage his life.
Initially, The Card Counter comes across as a poker movie, however it doesn’t take too long to understand this flick is about a whole lot more than just playing cards. The realization this is actually a movie about consciousness and past trauma should not really be a huge surprise to those who have seen past Paul Schrader movies, it is kinda his trademark. If there is one thing you can say about the Schrader flicks is his obsession with dark men souls.
One of the biggest surprises is the casting of comedic actress, Tiffany Haddish, in an impressive dramatic role as La Linda, the woman that transforms Oscar Isaac’s William’s life. Speaking of Oscar Isaac, he gives an impressive performance that industry insiders already predict will get him certain awards recognition. This is a role that reflects so much of what America is going through, as it withdraws from more and more international conflict areas, it neglects the fates of the people who fought those wars.
For a movie that has very little camera actions, it certainly has a lot of emotionally explosive drama going on for it. Once the story is ready to seal the fate of its characters, the result is profound and this is exactly what I felt about this movie, it is structured perfectly giving the ending you did not expect. This is an easy THUMBS UP!