Win It All

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): April 7, 2017

7.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings

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SpangleApr 7, 2017

Pure mumblecore, yet scripted beyond what is typical for a Joe Swanberg film, Win it All also happens to be Swanberg's best film yet. Putting him alongside Jake Johnson yet again, the film stars Johnson as Eddie Garrett. A degenerate gamblerPure mumblecore, yet scripted beyond what is typical for a Joe Swanberg film, Win it All also happens to be Swanberg's best film yet. Putting him alongside Jake Johnson yet again, the film stars Johnson as Eddie Garrett. A degenerate gambler who is asked by a friend to watch a bag full of money, he naturally gambles it all away and must earn it all back before the friend gets out of jail. Yet, coinciding with this, he tries to fix his life with new girlfriend Eva (Aislinn Derbez) lighting his fire again, brother Ron (Joe Lo Truglio) giving him a job in the family landscaping company, and his sponsor Gene (Keegan Michael-Key) offering him advice and guiding him through his rehabilitation. A loosely plotted film, it has echoes of other gambling-centered films, particularly Robert Altman's California Split for how the film just focuses on these gambling addicts going about their daily life as addicts. Yet, Win it All switches it up by making this a compelling character study of a man that wants to change and gets the audience to root for him, no matter how many bad choices he makes.

Initially making all the wrong moves, Eddie rejects a job offer from his brother and continues to gamble compulsively. It is only when he loses the money of somebody whose money should not be lost does he actually begin to change. However, until then, he is a largely detestable character. It is clear that Swanberg has learned from films such as Happy Christmas where the self-destructive nature of the central addict character is repulsive and leads to a film that gets chastised for having such an unlikable protagonist. Win it All begins much the same way as that film with Eddie hanging out with his settled-in and high-achieving brother and his family, divulging just how destitute his situation is and expressing his hopeless dreams and falsehoods about his current lifestyle. Watching him lie and then go out and gamble all night yet again is a tough cycle to watch and one that makes us inherently want to root against him and just be put to a stop.

Yet, Swanberg manages to make him incredibly sympathetic. We see him fail, but having him meet Eva when at a gambling high and right before a big fall shows the stakes put before him. He must put together his life and quickly if he wishes to have this great girl in his life. This gives the film good stakes, but also makes him more likable and a guy that you root for. Prior to this, he was hurting just himself. Now, we want to see him succeed to not hurt somebody else. Scenes of them together or him hanging out with family as he recovers from gambling all point to this same aspect of the film. As he changes from being unlikable to an impeccably sympathetic man, we want him to succeed and be happy at the end. When things begin going wrong, our heart breaks for him and want to see him put it back together again. Yet, in this character study, Swanberg does misstep. While largely just a look at the life of Eddie and shot and written incredibly realistically, the ending feels like movie fantasy. It dispatches of the low-key mumblecore stylings of the film and embraces a more commercial dramatic ending akin to Rounders or another gambling film when Eddie sets out to win back all of the money. It is unfortunate for a film that is such an intimate look at gambling addiction made by a director who is unafraid to just let them things happen and not script them, only for it to u-turn and become incredibly scripted and cliched at the very end.

As a comedy, the film is mostly focused on telling jokes. Instead, it presents real life scenarios and finds the comedy in everyday life. Encounters between Eddie and his brother Ron really show as this enjoy family life or just mess around with each other as friends and brothers do. Yet, the comedic highlight of the film is Keegan-Michael Key. Absolutely hysterical in his role as Gene, his character is casually funny without really trying and brings a lightness and great comedic zip to the film at all times when he is on-screen. As a foil to Johnson's more serious and downtrodden characters, Key's loose and supportive sponsor role is perfection.

A funny and engaging character study, Win it All becomes a bit too scripted and conventional in its climax and third act, but until then, it is a loosely put together and highly unique film, even if it still falls into the mumblecore genre of filmmaking though with a bit more structure than usual. With this added structure, Swanberg shows that these stories about lost 20-30 somethings can find an aim and serve a purpose instead of just being an hour and a half of characters walking around and driving themselves further down in the pit of despair. For this reason, Win it All is certainly the biggest win of Swanberg's career, even if it needs some additional polishing.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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iCronicAug 9, 2017

Jake johnson films are always likeable and thats the problem, they never exceed beyond that. Typical indie film, watchable, nothing exciting

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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moviemitch96Apr 8, 2017

This has gotten really decent reviews so far, and I honestly can't understand for the life of me why. The film felt slow, plodding, pointless, and unsure of whether it wants to be funny or serious (which is all pretty typical for director JoeThis has gotten really decent reviews so far, and I honestly can't understand for the life of me why. The film felt slow, plodding, pointless, and unsure of whether it wants to be funny or serious (which is all pretty typical for director Joe Swanberg and his style from what I've noticed.) Jake Johnson further demonstrates his mediocrity as an actor to me in this film, as he simply acts glum and nonchalant from start to finish, with his character coming off as just plain whiny and unlikable, not unlike pretty much every role he's played before. Overall, this simply felt like a boring, pointless film that rips off and aims to be like other far superior gambling/high stakes movies like The Gambler (the far superior original James Caan version), Mississippi Grind, etc., but fails miserably and simply comes off as an awkward and clumsy wannabe.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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sourlips1983Apr 10, 2017

Jake is charming, funny and charismatic in his role. Joe Lo Truglio and jake johnson have a lot of chemistry and I absolutely loved the story. It has a good combination of humour, suspense and romance. Overall it is a really nice film and oneJake is charming, funny and charismatic in his role. Joe Lo Truglio and jake johnson have a lot of chemistry and I absolutely loved the story. It has a good combination of humour, suspense and romance. Overall it is a really nice film and one of my favorite works by Jake Johnson and Joe Swanberg.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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DrBlahBlahJun 14, 2017

Joe Swanberg's best film to date, Win It All is an unflinching, entertaining look at the world of gambling addiction, featuring an Oscar-worthy lead performance.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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DirigiblePulpJul 4, 2017

A solid bit of gambling obsession lite. It's an on-the-surface appealing mix of normal Swanberg character driven talk as plot mixed with a more conventional plot about bottoming out in order to be saved from self-destruction by way ofA solid bit of gambling obsession lite. It's an on-the-surface appealing mix of normal Swanberg character driven talk as plot mixed with a more conventional plot about bottoming out in order to be saved from self-destruction by way of addiction. However, neither of those things elevates the other, and what you have is a pleasing diversion with a solid main performance from Jake Johnson. And what can only count as coup for film in the age of the streaming -- this film premiered on Netflix yet it was shot on 16mm (presumably it will never be shown that way?) but because Swanberg opted for 16 over 35 the grain shows all over the screen and constantly reminds you of its origins.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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nutterjrDec 23, 2017

Win It All is yet another solid collaboration between Swanberg and Johnson who delivers his strongest performance to date as the likeable loser.

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ScraperApr 16, 2017

For what it's worth, Win It All brings the experience of the slow pain of gambling losses as they mount throughout the days of a normal person's life. Jake Johnson carries the role of Eddie, a born loser, with charisma. All other players addFor what it's worth, Win It All brings the experience of the slow pain of gambling losses as they mount throughout the days of a normal person's life. Jake Johnson carries the role of Eddie, a born loser, with charisma. All other players add chuckles and a little bit of drama along the way. However, very little effort is given so that the plot is anything more than ordinary. It really is a shame because it's written and acted with a cool style that is very relatable. From a movie standpoint though, it's almost brutally safe. Finally, it wraps up with a seemingly willful omission of a twist it badly needed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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