The Gambler

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2014

5.5	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 112 Ratings

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User Reviews

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TVJerryJan 5, 2015

Mark Wahlberg plays a college lit professor (yes, you read that right) and he simply isn't up to the dramatic demands. The script is pretentious and full of philosophical contemplation, which makes an already tedious film even more painfulMark Wahlberg plays a college lit professor (yes, you read that right) and he simply isn't up to the dramatic demands. The script is pretentious and full of philosophical contemplation, which makes an already tedious film even more painful coming out of Wahlberg's mouth (John Goodman and Jessica Lange show him how it's done). He plays a compulsive gambler who gets deeper and deeper into debt, but seems more concerned about the meaning of his existence than his massive liability. It's all people posturing and contemplating, there's virtually no action and the pacing is glacial. Wahlberg should stick to comedy and action.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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lvleopardApr 26, 2015

This movie was disappointing. 1) I love gambling, 2) I love a good action/suspense/crime story, and 3) mark Wahlberg is often quite tolerable. This move however, has a few terrible flaws: 1) Mark Wahlberg as "literary genius".... nuff said,This movie was disappointing. 1) I love gambling, 2) I love a good action/suspense/crime story, and 3) mark Wahlberg is often quite tolerable. This move however, has a few terrible flaws: 1) Mark Wahlberg as "literary genius".... nuff said, 2) there is no discernible ending or "point" to the movie. 3) When someone gambles, he either loses or wins. What does either outcome have to do with character development, message, theme. so much of the movie is just based on a coin flip. I had high hopes, but it just fell flat.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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KenmeiJan 11, 2015

I just had a very hard time believing that everything that happens in this movie would actually happen in real life, even to the most hardcore addictive gamblers in the world. That and the fact that Wahlberg just seems out of place throughoutI just had a very hard time believing that everything that happens in this movie would actually happen in real life, even to the most hardcore addictive gamblers in the world. That and the fact that Wahlberg just seems out of place throughout the entire thing. He spends the first 3/4ths of the movie spouting philosophical nonsense bout victory and death, all the while losing over half a million dollars gambling just because. Then the ending takes an extremely different turn and just doesn't go well with the rest of the movie. The rest of the cast here just feels stiff, except for John Goodman as he is easily the best part of the movie. But the rest of it is just a hodgepodge of terrible ideas and acting, to go along with the lack of emotion that's given by each of the characters. I wouldn't waste my time seeing this if I knew what I knew now. This is just not a very good movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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csw12Jun 21, 2015

The Gambler is a horrible wannabe gangster film that features Mark Wahlberg mumbling throughout the entire film. Movie is poorly constructed and features some of the worst song placement I've seen.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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chicofilmguyDec 25, 2014

This is one of those scripts that was probably better on paper for on the screen. The movie is a slow slog through a convoluted plot involving a college English professor who is a compulsive gambler with a $260,000 debt to mobsters he has toThis is one of those scripts that was probably better on paper for on the screen. The movie is a slow slog through a convoluted plot involving a college English professor who is a compulsive gambler with a $260,000 debt to mobsters he has to pay off in seven days or suffer fatal consequences to himself and his mother. The lengthy dialog scenes take place in various underworld hangouts that only a movie art director could imagine. The cinematography, editing and music contribute little of value to the screen action. The result is an instantly forgettable movie not worth watching for free.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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ZeguJan 5, 2015

This was the first movie where I left the theater before it was done. Awful movie, I thought Mark Whalburg was a better actor than this piece of crap, but I guess not. It's not interesting, not gripping, stupid and had me hating myself forThis was the first movie where I left the theater before it was done. Awful movie, I thought Mark Whalburg was a better actor than this piece of crap, but I guess not. It's not interesting, not gripping, stupid and had me hating myself for wasting admission. I wish I went to see big hero instead.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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ThegodfathersonDec 28, 2014

The Gambler had something going for it. It had a talented director- Rupert Wyatt who brought us 2011's Apes and a talented actor- Mark Wahlberg. But, it was an unexpected mess of a movie. The story dragged on and on and on! Mark Walhberg, ohThe Gambler had something going for it. It had a talented director- Rupert Wyatt who brought us 2011's Apes and a talented actor- Mark Wahlberg. But, it was an unexpected mess of a movie. The story dragged on and on and on! Mark Walhberg, oh my gosh man! What went wrong there! He is a mess, he can't deliver the snappy lines and the acting smirks that others can. The highlight of the movie is John Goodman as a casino boss. Ignore this movie, but if you like Marky Mark and long movies, give it a rent.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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kmyashDec 30, 2014

Honestly was not a fan of the movie at all. The best way I've been able to describe it was that Mark played the male version of the manic pixie dream girl and made it worse than usual. I don't think it had anything to do with his actingHonestly was not a fan of the movie at all. The best way I've been able to describe it was that Mark played the male version of the manic pixie dream girl and made it worse than usual. I don't think it had anything to do with his acting though, more that it was what they wanted to do with the character. Members of my group enjoyed it though so it's subjective.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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