Let's Talk About Movies

If you’ve seen Paul Giamatti in “Cold Souls” or “Sideways”, you know he’s an actor who means business. In “Win Win”, a movie that prides itself by keeping its distance from Hollywood formula, Giamatti gives himself completely to a role he was born to play as a lawyer who’s having a tough time making ends meet. He also coaches the local high school wrestling team, along with a colleague played by Jeffrey Tambor. The fun begins when our man decides to take on the guardianship of a near-demented old man (Burt Young), with the intention of earning a monthly fee for doing that. It isn’t illegal, but would he have done it for free? Didn’t think so either.  Soon enough, his ethics will be put on the line, when the old man’s troubled grandson enter his life. I like films that reveal themselves gradually, instead of following an instantly predictable pattern. That’s why I was so taken by “Win Win”. On the surface, it feels like just another dramedy. But director Tom McCarthy (who directed the impressive “The Visitor” a few years ago), keeps the tone of the movie on track at every turn, which is no easy achievement. Newcomer Alex Shaffer is an expert wrestler, and it shows. His natural talent is also something worth mentioning. His scenes with Giamatti are what make this film so damn good.

“Win Win” is one of the nicest surprises of the year, and while I’m afraid it might get lost in the shuffle, I still hope it finds the audience it deserves.

Rating: 3/4