Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ takes a deep dive into the intricacies of the life of Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell). It follows his trials and tribulations in the land of Macau, where he obsessively gambles away his wealth in casinos. With the problems of debt and alcohol addiction complicating his already faltering life, he crosses paths with a woman named Dao Ming (Fala Chen). A private investigator named Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) also becomes interested in his actions.
As he faces multiple issues converging on him from various directions, the protagonist finds it difficult to separate fact from fiction, leading him on a tumultuous journey. Based on Lawrence Osborne’s novel of the same name, the British psychological thriller looks at themes of survival, haunting, and meaning. If the visual elements, the layered characters, and the philosophical ideas of the Edward Berger directorial impressed you, these films, similar to ‘Ballad of a Small Player,’ will keep you entertained.
12. The Color of Money (1986)
Based on the eponymous novel by Walter Tevis, ‘The Color of Money’ follows the lives of two complicated men. A hustler named Eddie “Fast Eddie” Felson (Paul Newman) finds himself in a difficult spot after his retirement. In this sequel to the film ‘The Hustler’ by Robert Rossen, Eddie deals with the attitude of a young, but arrogant, pool player named Vincent Lauria (Tom Cruise). Eddie tries to teach the young man to improve his skills in the art of hustling, but the differences between the two lead to a confrontation that could be life-changing for both of them.
As differences in outlook and attitude separate the two men mentally, they might be in for surprising lessons. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the sports drama film explores themes of student-teacher relationships, loyalty, and personal significance. Akin to ‘Ballad of a Small Player,’ the narrative looks at complex male characters looking to redeem themselves. The element of outsmarting people through games is also an important part of both movies.
11. Molly’s Game (2017)
Directed by Aaron Sorkin, ‘Molly’s Game’ follows the ups and downs of the life of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), a former skier. After an injury ends her Olympic dreams, Molly moves to LA and becomes a successful organizer of high-stakes poker games for the elite. Due to her involvement with the game, she is dubbed “Poker Princess.” However, the protagonist soon finds herself facing unexpected challenges when she falls into legal complications. With her connections to LA’s elite and her business deals in the picture, she is faced with a difficult decision when she is charged with federal crimes.
This leaves her fate in the hands of the justice system and a lawyer named Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba). Based on the eponymous memoir by Molly Bloom, the biographical drama film navigates the secrets and deceptions in the world of the protagonist. On the lines of ‘Ballad of a Small Player,’ it explores the psychological aspects of survival, the cost of gambling, while also featuring similar visual tones. Both stories feature complex protagonists who find themselves embroiled in perplexing battles.
10. The Cooler (2003)
In ‘The Cooler,’ Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin), manager of the Shangri-La Hotel and Casino, is troubled by the modernization of the Las Vegas casino scene. He uses Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy), a man whose bad luck supposedly transfers to winning players. Bernie’s desire to leave Vegas gets complicated due to familial ties and his attraction towards a waitress named Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello). Meanwhile, Shelly faces challenges from mob investor Nicky Bonnatto and Harvard graduate Larry Sokolov, who aim to modernize the casino.
With challenges mounting, Bernie plans to escape Vegas and redeem himself. However, escaping one’s destiny may not be as easy as one thinks. Directed by Wayne Kramer, the crime drama resembles the ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ due to its portrayal of complex characters. Both films feature male protagonists who face existential challenges due to their involvement in a dangerous profession. The element of survival spiritually connects the narratives.
9. Rounders (1998)
Directed by John Dahl, ‘Rounders’ is the story of law student Mike McDermott (Matt Damon), who loses his savings to Russian club owner Teddy KGB (John Malkovich) in a high-stakes poker game. Mike tries to quit gambling for law studies, but his former gambling partner, Lester “Worm” Murphy (Edward Norton), is released from prison and pulls Mike back into the dangerous world again. Due to a debt owed by Worm, things get complicated for Mike, who also faces romantic complications with a woman named Jo. Due to its grounded portrayal of petty crime, exhilarating visuals, and elements of survival, the drama film is spiritually connected to the world of ‘Ballad of a Small Player,’ and its characters.
8. California Split (1974)
‘California Split’ is a comedy-drama film that follows the lives of two men who develop an unlikely friendship. In a Southern California gambling club, a casual gambler and writer named Bill Denny (George Segal) meets confident small-time gambler Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould). As their bond strengthens, Bill is drawn into Charlie’s lifestyle, including his connections to sex workers Barbara Miller (Ann Prentiss) and Susan Peters (Gwen Welles). Bill’s gambling addiction and carelessness lead to a situation of debt. The two men eventually come up with a plan to find money for a trip, hoping Bill can win at poker and satisfy their desire to achieve something significant in life. Directed by Robert Altman, the film, like ‘Ballad of a Small Player, ‘ chronicles the challenges faced by the main characters in the realm of money and gambling. The stories examine how desire and freedom influence one another.
7. Hard Eight (1996)
In ‘Hard Eight,’ Sydney Brown (Philip Baker Hall), an aging, seasoned gambler, encounters a broke younger man named John Finnegan (John C. Reilly) and takes him under his wing, treating him like a son, and teaching him about gambling. The unique relationship between the two men gets complicated when John develops romantic feelings for a girl named Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow). As the mentor and the student find themselves in a difficult emotional zone, their lives are complicated by an unexpected challenge. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and based on his short film ‘Cigarettes & Coffee,’ the crime drama film resembles ‘Ballad of a Small Player,’ as it delves into the intrigues of the gambling world while also exploring how personal relationships intertwine with professional spaces. The visual tones of the stories connect them on a spiritual level.
6. Owning Mahowny (2003)
Helmed by Richard Kwietniowski, ‘Owning Mahowny’ chronicles the intriguing life of a man named Dan Mahowny (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an Assistant Manager at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Toronto’s financial district. Known to be a shy man obsessed with his job, the protagonist is also perceived by those around him as a clever individual with a willingness to help others. However, the seemingly perfect life of the main character seems to come with its own set of secrets. His gambling addiction may lead him towards a dangerous path of financial crime. Based on ‘Stung: The Incredible Obsession of Brian Molony’ by Gary Stephen Ross, the crime drama film explores ideas of deception and intelligence. On the lines of ‘Ballad of a Small Player,’ it focuses on a deeply flawed protagonist who finds himself in the middle of chaos in the world of gambling.
5. Croupier (1998)
‘Croupier’ is the story of a struggling novelist, Jack Manfred, who takes a casino croupier job in London. Despite his dislike for it, he excels due to his past training. The protagonist hates gamblers and disobeys casino rules when convenient. Eventually, he develops an alter ego, “Jake,” the main character of his novel, through whom he explores actions he wouldn’t perform himself. Meanwhile, he also faces tensions between himself and his lover, Marion, who happens to be a former police officer. Things take a turn when he is approached by a gambler to perform a heist at the casino. The British thriller film, directed by Mike Hodges, resembles ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ due to its exploration of the complexities of casino life. The struggles and triumphs in the world of gambling are the nucleus of both narratives.
4. The Gambler (2014)
Directed by Rupert Wyatt, ‘The Gambler’ navigates the ups and downs in the life of Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), an English professor and high-stakes gambler. He engages in dangerous moves, especially when he borrows money from a gangster and offers his life as collateral. He manipulates a conflict between his creditor and a gambling ring, while detaching from his wealthy mother. Navigating an underground world, he attracts the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark who has an agenda of his own.
As he tries to make sense of his world, his dangerous obsession with gambling may become the reason behind his downfall. Based on the eponymous film directed by Karel Reisz and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel of the same name, the crime drama film deals with ideas of betrayal, obsession, and survival. These thematic elements and the visual choices in the film connect it to the world of ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ and its unique characters.
3. Uncut Gems (2019)
‘Uncut Gems’ follows the life of New York City diamond dealer Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), who suffers due to gambling debt. He begins to think that a rare Ethiopian black opal will clear his debts. However, Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett also wants the gem. As his plan unravels, the protagonist, who is also a con artist and adulterer, must balance family and work while evading collectors before his situation worsens. Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, the crime thriller film closely resembles ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ as it talks about the survival of a complex man in a brutal world where no friends seem to exist.
2. The Card Counter (2021)
Written and directed by Paul Schrader, ‘The Card Counter’ is set in the brutal world of gambling. It follows the trials and tribulations of a gambler named William Tell (Oscar Isaac), who hides from the limelight while engaging in illegal activities. Being a former military interrogator, he lives a life of mysteries. His life takes a turn when he crosses paths with Cirk (Tye Sheridan), a young man seemingly hellbent on revenge. With the moral responsibility of caring for the young man, the protagonist attempts to lead him away from danger, while also trying to enable his fresh start in life by taking him to the World Series of Poker and resolving his debt crisis. The crime drama film, due to its grounded navigation of the intricacies of the gambling world and the exploration of complex male characters, bears resemblance to the world of ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ and its characters.
1. Mississippi Grind (2015)
‘Mississippi Grind,’ a comedy-drama film, is the complex story of two men who cross paths under unique circumstances. Overwhelmed by financial struggles, Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn) meets Curtis (Ryan Reynolds), a young man with a unique talent as a poker player. Realizing that he may need to turn his life around, Gerry, a gambling addict, goes on a road trip to the South with Curtis in order to risk it all by participating in a high-stakes poker game. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the film shares similarities with ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ due to its portrayal of hustle, survival, and friendship in the world of gambling. The visual choices and the thematic elements of meaning and redemption connect them on a greater level.
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