For those of you unfamiliar with the movie Rounders, it is about poker players. Poker players that grind it out every day making little by little and paying their bills and living off what they win are called rounders. This movie is about a man, Mikey D (Matt Damon), who dares to challenge the monotony of the rounders lifestyle. He has been rounding his whole life and he is sick of it so he decides to make a stand. He goes to an underground poker room, owned by the Russian mafia boss Teddy KGB (John Malkovich), with thirty thousand dollars and plays in the highest game available. Long story short he gets all of his money in with what he thinks is the best hand but is blinded by winning and KGB turns over the nuts and takes all of Mikes money. The rest of the movie goes on with Mikes journey through quiting poker for his girlfriend and then eventually getting back in the game right where he was before he lost the sixty thousand dollar pot.
This is a brilliantly put together movie with an amazing plot line and a solid conclusion. The one flaw I would have to say exists in this movie would be Mikes old friend Worm. Worm, once he gets out of jail, only hinders Mikes attempt at living an honest lifestyle. As Mike tries to make his life clean, Worm tempts him to play poker again but not only does he do that, he also makes Mike cheat. Worm eventually gets caught cheating and earns both himself and Mike a beat down. This character Worm does add emotion to the story but could be done without him because he causes more grief than entertainment.
This movie is a must see for everyone because it provides a universal struggle behind the curtain of poker and everyone can relate to it. If you are a poker player than there is no question that, if you haven’t yet, you should make sure to see this movie. The poker scenes that are seen in this movie are amazing and the quotes that come out of this movie are plentiful. I would recommend this movie to anyone. Happy watching.
