Win Win: Blu Ray Review
Win Win
Rating: M
Released by 20th Century Fox
Paul Giamatti once again dons his slightly sadsack look for this
indie quirky piece about a lawyer Mike Flaherty whose small
business is facing a bit of a financial struggle.
Flaherty also moonlights as the coach of a small high school
wrestling team - and they're struggling as well.
So, when he sees a cash lifeline from an elderly client, he decides
to cash in and becomes the oldster's guardian.
However, that backfires when the grandson Kyle Timmons (Alex
Shaffer) shows up and Flaherty's family takes him in. And when Mike
realises Kyle can wrestle, suddenly it's all looking up.
But the fragile world is shaken up when Kyle's mum (our very own
Melanie Lynskey) shows up, straight out of rehab...
Win Win is the definition of indie. It's from the director of The
Visitor and The Station Agent and is once again another powerhouse
performance from Paul Giamatti who seems to excel (and is in danger
of being typecast) in these world weary character roles.
It's also wryly funny and heartfelt with great performances from
Lynskey, who manages to turn a relatively loathsome character into
something a little more nuanced and plausible - and Shaffer in
particular who manages to get the teenage awkwardness down to an
art form. He is a real discovery of a first time actor.
It's the ensemble which works well - Giamatti and Ryan impress with
their humorously laconic relationship; Tambor and Cannavale are
funny as the assistant coaches and as the house of cards crumbles
that Flaherty's created, McCarthy does a good job of handling
the situation rather than reducing it to mush.
There's a little case of the film sagging somewhat after an hour or
so -but when they throw in a frankly hilarious wrestling scene,
you're prepared to forgive it.
All in all, Win Win is a breath of fresh air and a quality indie
with an impressive cast.
Rating: 8/10
