The Gambler
The draw of 70s movies has always been their authenticity, their ability to portray polarizing characters that you can never quite figure out if you like or not. And as often happens when referencing a movie from the 1970s, the late James Caan is highlighted for another terrific performance in his illustrious career. In The Gambler, Caan plays Axel Freed, a college professor with a crippling gambling addiction. Axel has been noted by Caan himself as his favorite character of all his films. And it’s this praise from the man himself that may surprise those who have not yet watched this underrated film.
In the classroom Axel is his best self, spouting philosophical musings from authors like Dostoevsky about the nature of a Man’s decisions. With a pretty young girlfriend, Billie (Lauren Hutton), a great job, and a loving and supporting mother (Jacqueline Brooks) it appears all is well. But underneath his Apollonian appearance is the chaotic Dionysian Axel, who routinely bets large amounts on credit, borrowed from his bookie turned friend, Hips (Paul Sorvino). Soon, Axel has dug himself into a 44,000 dollar hole, and time is running out. Alluding his creditors, Axel will go to any length he can to break even. But does he ever want to stop? This is the brilliance of the film and the acting of Caan, his somewhat gracious acceptance of the misery that comes with consistently losing.
A small scene shows just how deep his addiction is, and its an important piece to show who his character is. Broke and in debt big, Axel stops on the way home from work and interrupts a pick-up basketball game, to bet that he can beat the best player on the court. When he is laughed off, his desire for a bet of any kind leads him to betting 20 of his money, for the possibility of winning only 1. And like most of the bets he’s placed, it’s graded as another L. Their is a prevailing thought throughout that the trouble is coming, but it is buoyed by Axel’s ability to stay confident, he believes he is and will be, a winner. What results is a man resorting to the shameful act of betraying his family, and his students, to settle his debt.
It is Caan at his very best, it is a classic movie of the 70s at its very best. Like another great gambling-centric movie of the same year, California Split, The Gambler portrays the lifestyle of the obsessed risk-taker with frightening accuracy. For lovers of 70s era films, or gambling movies, The Gambler should be next on your viewing list.
Directed By: James Toback
Starring: James Caan, Paul Sorvino, Laura Hutton
Runtime: 111 minutes Year Released: 1974