About The Gambler ( Singapore Online Casino Gplay99 )

If you grew up listening to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, then it may be hard for you to picture the Good Vibrations hit-maker in the lead role of a crime drama film. Once you see Mark Wahlberg as Jim Bennet in The Gambler, it becomes rather hard to believe that this was the same guy behind popular chart-toppers like Wildside, You Gotta Believe, and, of course, Good Vibrations.

The Gambler is a 2014 film about Jim Bennet, an English Literature Professor at a university who enjoys taking extreme risks.

Bennet’s love for risks results in a serious gambling addiction, and an enormous debt to numerous loan sharks. The academic then finds himself at the centre of illicit activity, harbouring relationships with underworld gang bosses.

I found the story line to be quite interesting, and felt that the relationship between Bennet and one of his students provided a captivating twist in the fictitious tale. The male lead becomes infatuated with Amy, a promising student taking one of his classes. Amy knows all about Bennet’s after hours activities, and soon finds herself just as captivated with him as he is with her. As Bennet falls deeper in love with Amy, he takes the ultimate risk in order to secure a second chance with her.

Loved it or Hated it?

The Gambler is the type of film that will appeal to those who prefer crime dramas with a bit of a romantic twist. While it is definitely not one of my top ten favourites, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this flick, and found that I rather enjoyed it. Mark Wahlberg proves that his not a one-trick pony, and showcases his diverse skillset in this intriguing film.

A Word from the Critics

This blockbuster managed to earn a rating of 44% on the respected review site Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics felt that Mark was not very convincing as an English professor, while others felt that even though the movie didn’t quite add up, Wahlberg’s acting skills should not be underestimated. Others blamed the casting decisions, and stated that casting Wahlberg as the male lead was like casting Shaquille O’Neal as Tinker Bell.

Whether or not the critics care to agree, there is a fair amount of entertainment in this motion picture, and while it may be hard for the title to shake off comparisons to the James Caan classic (which also happens to be the inspiration behind it), I do feel that this flick is worth more than an ungenerous rating of 44% – whether critics care to agree or not.

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A Fan Favourite?

While the film received a similar response from critics, viewers have mixed opinions. Some have deemed it to be well written and beautifully executed, while others have stated that is was extremely dull and boring. When it comes to blockbusters, it is extremely difficult to receive a unified response, especially when celebrities known for one trade, find themselves in an alternate element.

Final Thoughts

If Marky Mark stole your heart in his Funky Bunch days, then it may be hard for you to see him portraying such a different role. If you love him or hate him in The Gambler, there is no denying that he has a diverse skillset. Whether or not this skillset was put to good use in this flick, is a conclusion that you’ll have to come to up with yourself. Until such time, though, we’ll leave you with the thoughts placed in this review.

Your turn: what do you think?