Predictable but entertaining if you like poker
NoWireHangers | Sweden | 10/20/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Alex is a college graduate whose parents got him a job at a law firm, but what he really wants to do is play poker. He meets Tommy Vinson, a former poker pro who promised his wife 20 years ago that he'd never play again, and has kept his promise. Tommy becomes Alex's mentor and stakes him in tournaments.
"Deal" has some not-so-subtle product placement (PokerStars and World Poker Tour) and the story is like a poker remake of "The Color of Money", but the actors are good and it's entertaining if you like poker and don't mind that it's a bit predictable. Several poker pros appear as themselves, including Antonio Esfandiari, Greg Raymer, Joe Hachem and Phil Laak, whose girlfriend Jennifer Tilly also appears, not as herself but as a poker pro. 3 stars."
Compare to Rounders?
Rogue1 | 02/12/2010
(2 out of 5 stars)
"First I'd just like to say that Mr. Charles Durning is a cast member on this movie.
I think Mr. Charles Durning is a tremendously talented actor who incidentally has led a most interesting and adventurous life.His Mr. Healey in Captains and Kings was incredible! Now,to the movie. Comparing Deal to Rounders is like comparing a
pair of roller skates to a Rolls Royce because they're both vehicles. The cast seemed to try but it just didn't work."