As if it mixes Magnolia (1999) with Jackie Brown (1997). The matter of many ordinary people having their own problems, interweaving together, from the first, with the crime's atmosphere that gathers different people in one climax, from the second. But does it succeed.. in whatever ?! It's about gambling, as a pure idea maybe. The has-been magician gambles with his life savings, to lose and die. The basketball player's older brother gambles with his brother then his own life to lose and die. The henchman gambles with his life to lose and die. And the lost writer gambles with her and her husband's life savings to lose and not die. As you see it's dark and disappointing. And while there is somehow a happy ending, meanings about love and sacrifice, there are also some questions to be asked : Was that henchman suppressed homosexual or just a lonely person in desperate need for a friend ? What about the friend's story? How he works out his relationship with his girlfriend or revenges on the killer of his companion ? (he only was about to hit the girlfriend as an ultimate answer !).The worst thing is when the character of that crippled dusty detective (Kelsey Grammar in one heck of a NOSE!), gives a voice-over speech as a finale, while saying forced aphorisms like "The human needs more..", and so. Well, who is that character in the first place ?!, and why does he – suddenly and oddly – conclude the movie ?! And it isn't enough without the appearance of the crime lord Ivan (played by Mark Rydell, the director himself) as the glossy god of that filthy world and everything everybody dreams of (?!). So is it some reading to our world as evil? Is it a tragedy of fools? Is it a satire against the human greed? Or is it just another melodrama where the writer kills nearly everybody then preoccupies himself with extracting philosophical lessons at the end? In any case, that ending is nothing but more disappointment !I can't believe how bad the level of directing is. Rydell didn't do anything. The case is hellishly TV-ish (dead is the word). Save the editing, which – thank god – made it coherent and no boring, there is absolutely no second to call clever or smart. It's all about actors chatter in narrow cadres with great tepidity. So eventually while the movie provides some dramatic stories for some actors, hoping to be another Magnolia, or even Crash, it ends up as so poor and uneven.Kim Basinger has so limited capacities, some other actresses could have shined in her role. Forest Whitaker is good, but in something lesser than him. Kelsey Grammar committed a crime by accepting the worst written role in history. And Danny DeVito does it with no particularity whatsoever; no wonder since that have-not situation did strike utterly, what I wonder about is his involving in producing this. The only merit it has is its witness that Jay Mohr can do drama effectively away from his much known stiff comedy. Making any movie is a gamble. But this movie's makers gambled good names in a losing game. So with another writer or – sure – director, (Even Money) could have been something to watch, love and respect. Because I regretted those 113 minutes of artless time and alleged wisdom.

Aside from Horse Racing, this movie pretty much covered the gambling industry from A-Z. The intertwining of the characters was well done. Acting was great, especially Tim Roth who played Victor.Mr. Roth is very underrated.He has great acting range, have seen him in many different types of roles. Yes there were some clichés. Bored housewife, jealous of husbands success and fills void by gambling. Point shaving family member prodded by brother who is in deep debt to bookies, and a washed up magician living in ,lets just say sub prime conditions. Even with the clichés , this film did well to explore each character in great lengths. The movie veered a little to Film Noir with some twists , I felt were unnecessary. All in all a very watchable film that depicted the gambling situation in really Anytown,USA. It was clever that this film did not distinguish what city this took place.A thoroughly , enjoyable film with some ambiguity... By that I mean , at times , in your mind , you did not know who to rout , in certain situations, such as winning certain bets. An entertaining film, good acting ensemble, moral lessons- What else can you ask ?

I'm always fascinated by any film that can provoke an array of feelings towards it as this films appears to have done. I am in the "liked it very much" camp. Perhaps if one avoids seeing it as a slice of life screenplay, it can be appreciated much better. I saw it as an exercise in watching people proceed to ruin their lives....we're generally responsible for what choices we make. Kelsey Grammar was very good in his role, but I could have done without the false nose, etc. Tim Roth is one of those actors who is never boring regardless of how good or poor the particular film may be. While I can appreciate why some people hate this film, I just approached it from a different angle, took it for what it was and didn't look at my watch once during its run.

I saw this at the Sunday screening during sxsw as well. Similar in style to crash but not as overproduced and much better more realistic character development. Also I think the point was to not know what city it was in...the main focus was on the characters as the last commenter said....Kelsey Grammar did such a good job he for sure will be nominated for many supporting actor awards if this film does see the light of day...in fact I would bet this movie would too....Kim Basinger was the low point in the movie to me...but that may just be because I don't like her...but the rest of the cast was amazing. Tim Roth did a fantastic job especially with the strange awkward body positions he would stand in...just made him seem so creepy...anyway...great film...if you get a chance see it..