Even Money

Addiction is such a juicy subject. Gambling is even juicier. We are all a little tempted, after all, to wish for the brass ring - the winning lottery ticket - the longshot at ten to one. The movies have often glossed up "the life" in all the flash and finery of a fine Vegas showgirl - lots of sequins and feathers and not a lot of substance. If so, Even Money is a film that shows the scars from the nips and tucks.

Forgive the sappy "film noir" voice overs for a moment. The film follows nine people down that road toward self destruction - the housewife losing the family savings, the bookie trying to come clean for love, the basketball star asked to shave points for a sibling, the has-been waiting for the score that will make him a star again. There's a wounded old detective and an organized crime boss. There's the up and comers and the down and outers. It's not exactly a new story and it takes a while to get going, but then there's a little something for everyone and it's all gritty.

Add to that a pretty remarkable ensemble cast (Kim Basinger, Forrest Whitaker, Ray Liotta, Danny Devito, Kelsey Grammer) and a decent director (Mark Rydell) and you have a pleasant evenings entertainment. Nothing to write home about, but you won't mind the price of admission. See the website here.