Win Win

It’s a tribute to Paul Giamatti that he can play such a flawed but relatable character. Fueled by greed and financial desperation, he’ll screw-over a helpless old man and you can still root for him for an entire movie. His first acts of selfishness don’t lead to negative consequences, but to unexpected circumstances. These unexpected twists are what make the movie special and worth seeing. The acting from the entire cast is great. Big, big kudos go to Alex Shaffer, an actual high school wrestler, apparently, who’s never acted in a movie before now and turns in a low-key, unaffected performance better than most seasoned actors his age. Kudos, too, to Burt Young – still alive and kicking, and still delivering real characters. It’s a worthwhile and unique family drama.