X
- 2021
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
- 2021
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
Summary William Tell (Oscar Isaac) is a gambler and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past. Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk (Tye Sheridan), a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute hi...
Directed By: Paul Schrader
- 2021
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
- 2021
- R
- Focus Features
- 1 h 51 m
The Card Counter
78
6.6
Where to Watch
Summary William Tell (Oscar Isaac) is a gambler and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past. Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk (Tye Sheridan), a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute hi...
Directed By: Paul Schrader
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 48 Critic Reviews
78
81% Positive
39 Reviews
39 Reviews
19% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 48 Critic Reviews
78
81% Positive
39 Reviews
39 Reviews
19% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The movie has real moral terror at its center. It gets ugly: It gives that word fresh resonance. This is where it gets things right — what will, one hopes, make it worth remembering.
The solitary man returns in The Card Counter, a haunting, moving story of spirit and flesh, sin and redemption, love and death about another lonely soul, William Tell, who, with pen to paper, grapples with his present and his unspeakable past.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 78 User Ratings
6.6
58% Positive
45 Ratings
45 Ratings
32% Mixed
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
10% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 78 User Ratings
6.6
58% Positive
45 Ratings
45 Ratings
32% Mixed
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
10% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
Outstanding movie that explains the origins of PTSD, the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, the origins of the debacle in Afghanistan, etc. Well timed for the US exit from Afghanistan.
Report
William Tell (Oscar Isaac) ist ein ehemaliger US-Veteran und kommt aus dem Gefängnis. Dort lernte er das Kartenzählen und nutzt seine neuen Fertigkeiten, um sei es beim Black Jack oder Pokern zu gewinnen. Dabei trifft er den jungen Mann Cirk (Tye Sheridan), welcher seinen Vater rächen möchte, in dem er dessen Vorgesetzten Major John Gordo (Willem Dafoe) umbringt, welcher auch William ins Militärgefängnis gebracht hat.
The Card Counter ist ein ruhiger Film, welcher stark auf Dialog setzt und ruhig erzählt wird. Innerhalb des Films lernt man Williams Vergangenheit kennen und versteht immer mehr sein Weltbild und seine Beweggründe. Oscar Isaac spielt die Rolle sehr überzeugend und eher und die anderen Schauspieler harmonieren perfekt zueinander. Es gibt verschiedene Kameraeinstellungen, welche fantastisch sind z.b. die Ansicht von einer Taube. Das Ende ist so überragend und perfekt gespielt und umgesetzt. Es gibt einige Szenen wo nicht geschnitten wird und die ganze Zeit nur auf eine Stelle gefilmt wird. The Card Counter ist ein Film, welcher sich mit dem Thema Rache, Traumabewältigung auseinandersetzt. Der Film ist nicht für jeden gedacht, sondern eher für die Leute die es eher ruhiger mögen und auch gerne nachdenken beim Film schauen.
8/10
Report
The Card Counter’s powers linger well past plot machination—its methods of approaching incident miles deeper than how they’ll play, its pauses in conversation bruising harder than anything spewed. I’m smitten with his latter-day tone-setter vibe, the stumbles amusing (I’m curious who got that horrific music into key scenes) and indulgences almost touching.
The central relationships can be a little schematic, while the plot slaloms in and out of plausibility. Still, the cast keeps it honest and there is much to relish in the film’s moody, meditative intensity.
The element that keeps The Card Counter truly alive is Isaac, who turns in one of the best performances of his career here, using his eyes to convey things dialogue never could. To watch him work here is something special, even if the movie as a whole can't ever quite match his intensity.
In Oscar Isaac’s enigmatic blackjack player “William Tell”, with his wary hooded eyes and closed book countenance, the film has a broodingly commanding central performance. It’s a pity, then, that much of its promise is squandered by sloppiness, both in the writing and elsewhere.
While there are some atmospheric and absorbing moments, all involving Isaac monologuing or close-ups on his face depicting stormy thoughts brewing underneath, Schrader ultimately abandons his gambling subplots in favour of a two-fold ending that is both anticlimactic and empty.
After the first 75 minutes, I thought that The Card Counter was an intriguing but messy film. Then the third act arrived, and my mind was changed completely. The twists and surprises were extremely impactful and will leave me pondering the film for weeks to come. I also think that Oscar Isaac gave a terrific performance as William Tell, who may just be the most interesting character put to screen this year. The cinematography in this film is also fantastic. My only critiques would be the lifeless performance of Tye Sheridan as well as some unclear character motivations.
Report
In A Nutshell
The Card Counter is a 2021 film directed by Paul Schrader. The cast and crew managed to finish the movie just as lockdown and social distancing restrictions were being imposed in 2020. Schrader explains that many of the essential scenes in the movie were shot within a span of five days – no small feat for any film.
The movie is centered on William Tell. He is played by Oscar Isaac, whose most notable role to the current generation is Poe Dameron in the sci-fi series Star Wars. A traumatized military vet, Tell taught himself how to count cards while in military prison. Since his release, Tell has been making the rounds at casinos, making sure to keep his winnings modest to avoid suspicion.
The movie gets its title from Tell’s ability to count cards. For those unfamiliar with this prohibited skill, it’s a bit similar to calculating poker odds. This is a tactic used by pros to assess how to bet based on the possible outcome of the game. Through this, they weigh their probability of winning and choose whether to continue adding to the pot or folding. This often involves mental math as people have to speedily calculate odds in real-time. Fortunately for Tell, his military training and intellect allow him to do this successfully.
Together with one of his acquaintances, La Linda, Tell uses his skills to count cards to qualify for the World Series of Poker (WSOP ). Unfortunately for Tell, his time playing and vying for the Main Event at the WSOP becomes intertwined with his growing relationship with La Linda and a vengeful murder plot.
Things I Liked
There’s no denying that The Card Counter carries markers of quality cinematography. It also creates a brooding atmosphere that takes cues from virtual reality and renaissance paintings. There are scenes that try to be as immersive as possible, treating the camera as another character rather than a filming device. The color palette as well tries to convey the sense of framing and intensity needed for a film as tense as this one.
Aside from Oscar Isaac, the movie boasts a star-studded cast with the likes of Willem Dafoe, Tiffany Haddish, and Tye Sheridan. All of these actors have made a name for themselves in their own rights, earning respect and acclaim within different genres. This shows in the film as the characters truly feel like real people, making for a great viewer experience.
Things I Didn’t Like
Due to the subject matter of the movie, The Card Counter isn’t really for a younger audience. For parents that like to watch films with their family, there will be sexual and violent portions of the movie that are best left for adult viewers.
The plot is also more mature in comparison to more family-friendly movies. Young ones might not be able to connect with or even understand the plot anyways. If parents were to watch it, it is best to do so with the less impressionable older members of the family.
Notable Lines
“Poker is all about waiting. Hours pass. Days pass. Hand after hand, each hand like the hand before. Then something happens.”
“This is how it starts. Just a fleeting thought – a daydream. Then it builds and builds.”
“Is there an end to punishment? Is there a limit to the amount of effort it takes to merit expiation? Is it possible to know when one reaches the limit?”
“The body remembers. It stores it all.”
Tips For Parents
As mentioned earlier, it isn’t ideal to watch this movie with the whole family. Instead, it is best to watch it with other adults who will be able to better appreciate the film. If, however, a parent chooses to watch it with their young ones, they should be ready to explain certain themes and situations. In this way, they will not confuse reality and fantasy.
Report
Great performance by Oscar Isaac in a flawed film. Its just terribly slow, and therefore not very entertaining. It is dark, and mysterious, and does make you want to keep watching, to some degree, but it took me a 2nd viewing to finish it...waiting, hoping...expecting...some kind of payoff at the end. It has an ending. But I wouldn't say it was worth the run time to get there.
The biggest issues are the slow pace, and the wierd dialogue and character choices. The film and premise had much potential but what you end up with is a great peformance, an interesting premise, but an under-whelming film. Only watch if you have the patience to see a slow brooding mystery. Isaac's performance is worth seeing for those with the patience, but the film should have been far better.
Report
(Mauro Lanari)
Schrader and Scorsese are employing two entire filmographies to express a poetic that Ferrara and St. John of "The Funeral" (1996) knew how to summarize in a single scene.
Report
Production Company
Focus Features,
LB Entertainment,
Astrakan Film AB,
Bona Film Group,
Convergent Media,
Convergent Media.,
Enriched Media Group,
HanWay Films,
One Two Twenty Entertainment,
Redline Entertainment (II)
Release Date Sep 10, 2021
Duration 1 h 51 m
Rating R
Tagline He's Playing the Hand He Was Dealt
Awards
Indiana Film Journalists Association, US
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
VHS Awards
• 4 Nominations
Valladolid International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
