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Amazon.co.uk Review
Writer-director Tom McCarthy excels at tales about men who feel isolated from their surroundings. In Win Win, it's Kyle (Alex Shaffer, recalling the young Sean Penn), a teenager who enters the life of New Jersey attorney Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti). Flaherty's journey begins when he represents Kyle's grandfather, Leo (Burt Young), who suffers from dementia. When Flaherty finds out about the substantial fee, he signs up as Leo's guardian, because he's been having trouble paying his bills. He and his wife, Jackie (Amy Ryan), meet Kyle when the kid shows up on his grandfather's doorstep. Kyle's mother (Melanie Lynskey) is in rehab and her boyfriend is abusive, so Kyle wants to live with Leo. Because Mike placed him in a retirement home--against the man's wishes--he agrees to host Kyle for a few weeks, during which Mike learns about his wrestling skills and invites him to join the high-school team he coaches with Stephen (Jeffrey Tambor). His best friend, Terry (Bobby Cannavale), offers to assist the duo to get his mind off his ex (the one plot line that doesn't work). When Kyle's mother shows up to collect her son and cash in on her father's situation, Mike risks losing everything he has gained. Win Win doesn't surprise as much as The Station Agent, which featured Cannavale, or cut as deep as The Visitor, but Giamatti and Ryan make for a believable suburban couple, doing their best to make ends meet in the face of an unsympathetic economy. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
DVD Description
Tom McCarthy, acclaimed writer/ director of The Visitor and The Station Agent, once again explores the depths and nuances of human relationships in this touching comedy about disheartened attorney Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach.
"Hilarious and heartfelt....just about perfect"--Rolling Stone
"A masterclass in offbeat, comic brilliance"--The New York Times
"Hilarious and heartfelt....just about perfect"--Rolling Stone
"A masterclass in offbeat, comic brilliance"--The New York Times
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a rather delightful and entertaining film that centres around Paul Giamatti's likeable and fundamentally honest lawyer. Like all honest lawyers he is struggling financially, and when temptation is put in his way he finally succumbs, doing a dodgy deal to make income from the management of the estate of Burt Young. Things are complicated when Young's wayward grandson shows up, followed by his selfish mother who can smell some easy money and doesn't care who gets hurt along the way. Giamatti finds himself taking said Grandson in, and in an odd turn of events becomes his wrestling coach. Giamatti's shenanigans start to unravel, grandson becomes the hero and inspiration for his struggling team and a fascinating climax is reached where many characters find redemption.
The story is powered by a fine performance from Giamatti. It would be too easy to descend into uncomfortable schmaltz, but he anchors it in reality, making a moving and believable character. The ever dependable Burt Young is on fine form as the slightly confused old man and his appearance is a real highlight of the film. It's all a bit low key, but is a fine film that keeps you interested for it's run time, and shows people for what they really are while never being preachy. It also has some fine comic moments, so what more could you really ask? 4 stars.
The story is powered by a fine performance from Giamatti. It would be too easy to descend into uncomfortable schmaltz, but he anchors it in reality, making a moving and believable character. The ever dependable Burt Young is on fine form as the slightly confused old man and his appearance is a real highlight of the film. It's all a bit low key, but is a fine film that keeps you interested for it's run time, and shows people for what they really are while never being preachy. It also has some fine comic moments, so what more could you really ask? 4 stars.
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Most Paul Giamatti movies are worth a watch and this is no difference.
Well written, well acted. Well worth a watch. 8/10
Well written, well acted. Well worth a watch. 8/10
Format:DVD
Paul Giamatti has swiftly risen to prominence in recent years, with films such as the bittersweet Sideways [DVD], American Splendor [DVD] [2004] and Cinderella Man [DVD] [2005], after an early career as a supporting player. He seems to have cornered the market in harassed suburban everymen, and with his bug-eyed stare and dumpy figure he is instantly recognisable.
This film sees Giamatti's economically challenged lawyer, Mike, inadvertently take a young teenage runaway into his family, much to the chagrin of his wife; unbeknownst to anyone else though, Mike is taking a payment from the boy's Grandfather for being the old man's guardian, supposedly because he is caring for him but actually he's put the confused guy into a care home.
This is definitely a film for our current financially messed-up times, and the story of a decent man trying to do the right thing for what are basically selfish reasons is a resonant one. Giamatti and his young protege spar off one another well, and with a light-hearted cameo from Third Watch's Bobby Cannavale, plus strong performances from veteran Burt Young and Alex Shaffer as the mixed-up teenager, this is a solid and at times powerful film.
This film sees Giamatti's economically challenged lawyer, Mike, inadvertently take a young teenage runaway into his family, much to the chagrin of his wife; unbeknownst to anyone else though, Mike is taking a payment from the boy's Grandfather for being the old man's guardian, supposedly because he is caring for him but actually he's put the confused guy into a care home.
This is definitely a film for our current financially messed-up times, and the story of a decent man trying to do the right thing for what are basically selfish reasons is a resonant one. Giamatti and his young protege spar off one another well, and with a light-hearted cameo from Third Watch's Bobby Cannavale, plus strong performances from veteran Burt Young and Alex Shaffer as the mixed-up teenager, this is a solid and at times powerful film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not a comedy.
How anyone can call this social drama a comedy is beyond me. "Laugh out loud"!? More likely to bring a tear to your eye or wince at the mostly tragic characters.
Published 1 month ago by Norman Field
What a disappointment from the latest director to fall and the hurdle...
This director's The Station Agent was one of the great live-action films of the last decade, but I fear he's now taken his place as the next in line to fall when trying to clear... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Simon Turner
Definitely a Winner
Win Win is the tale of broke-lawyer Mike (Paul Giamatti - Shoot 'em Up) who tells a fib in order to keep his practice going. Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Morris
Not a classic but hey it's enjoyable
Paul Giamatti plays the lovable loser( well hes not a loser just medicore) in this enjoyable little film. The story's simple, sentimental, cheesey(although never too cheesey). Read more
Published 7 months ago by ekb
Win Win
I saw win win a couple of months ago and was very impressed by it. It doesn't break any new ground as a genre, nor does it take you by the seat of your pants to the heights of... Read more
Published 9 months ago by MR O S ANDREE
Draw Draw
Independant films with major stars in dont show up very often.But when they do, hiring Paul Giamatti as the main star is always a stroke of genius and no bad thing. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. A. J. Richards
Minor Pyrrhic Victory.
In recent years Paul Giamatti has made a career out of playing tragic souls or incredibly insecure losers whom end each story losing everything whilst learning lessons about life... Read more
Published 12 months ago by PIM
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