Movie spotlight
William Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk, a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a military colonel. Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk. But keeping Cirk on the straight-and-narrow proves impossible, dragging Tell back into the darkness of his past.
William Tell, a former soldier turned professional poker player, seeks redemption for his past actions by traveling from casino to casino, playing cards for a living. He meets Cirk, a young drifter seeking revenge on a military major who wronged them both. Tell takes Cirk under his wing, attempting to guide him towards a less destructive path, while also grappling with his own demons and a gambling addiction.
The Card Counter received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise directed at Oscar Isaac's performance and Paul Schrader's direction. Some critics found the film's pacing to be slow at times, but most acknowledged its thematic depth and psychological exploration.
Oscar Isaac delivers a compelling and nuanced performance as a haunted man seeking solace.
Paul Schrader's signature contemplative and gritty style is on full display.
The film offers a thoughtful exploration of trauma, guilt, and the search for redemption.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight Oscar Isaac's strong performance and the film's serious, character-driven narrative. Many appreciated the exploration of complex themes, although some found the story to be somber or slow-paced.
Paul Schrader initially conceived the idea for 'The Card Counter' over a decade before its production, with the script evolving significantly during that time.
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A quintessentially Paul Schrader-esque movie. It certainly is not everyone's cup of tea. It's very dark and it's all in the head. Having friends, though, who survived Vietnam and another who still suffers PTSD from Iraq, I rather enjoyed th...
It’s fitting that The Card Counter’s protagonist’s last name is Tell. Not because he has one (as played by Oscar Isaac, he doesn’t have a poker face so much as he is perennially inexpressive), but because writer/director Paul Schrader (unus...
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting - but this rather meandering drama left me leaving the cinema asking what or whom this film was for? Oscar Isaac ("William Tell") is a gambler - a successful, under the radar kind of fellow - with a m...
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/the-card-counter-spoiler-free-review "The Card Counter is a protagonist-driven narrative focused on a hauntingly captivating redemption arc intensely elevated by an exce...
A confused mess... Spoilers towards the end are flagged. The main storyline is only driven by a strange decision by an older man to invite an obviously mentally unstable 20 something year old man on an all expenses paid road trip across ...
I had a little trouble following the story, and I thought it was somewhat dark. I am sure there is an audience for this kind of production, but I struggled to make it to the end. On the plus side, Oscar Isaac did a good job portraying his p...