EVEN MONEY
(R)
MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5)
STARRING
Kim Basinger as CAROL CARVER
Danny DeVito as WALTER
Kelsey Grammer as DETECTIVE BRUNNER
Nick Cannon as GODFREY SNOW
Ray Liotta as TOM CARVER
Forest Whitaker as CLYDE SNOW
Carla Gugino as VERNOICA
Grant Sullivan as MURPH
Jay Mohr as AUGIE
Directed by: Mark Rydell
Studio: Yari Film Group
BY KEVIN CARR
“Even Money” is a gritty thriller that shows the dark consequences of gambling. It tells several stories at once – a housewife (Kim Basinger) who gambles away the family savings, the man (Forest Whitaker) who has undue influence on his basketball star brother’s game and a bookie (Grant Sullivan) who wants to leave the business to be with his love.
For the past ten years, these disparate, interlocking stories have been popular in Hollywood. Some work well, while others don’t. Although “Even Money” missed a huge theatrical success, it’s a good example of how well these stories can be tied together.
Director Mark Rydell puts the characters in a web in such a way that we can find someone to relate to. It shows the dark world of illegal gambling and how things can get bad fast. The cast is excellent, featuring a slate of talent that also includes Danny DeVito as a has-been illusionist and Tim Roth as a ruthless bookie.
The DVD comes with no special features, but that shouldn’t dissuade a viewing of “Even Money.” The film is definitely worth a look.