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The Music of Chance (1993)

Director: Philip Haas

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

When fireman-turned-drifter Jim Nashe (Patinkin) offers to finance the next poker game of Jack Pozzi (Spader), a cardsharp he's found wandering dazed by a country road, he little bargains for the strange turn of events that follows. Pozzi looks a sure bet against old farts Bill and Willie (Durning and Grey), but suddenly his luck changes, and Jim and Jack, deep in debt, are forced to construct a medieval wall in the victors' garden, overseen by groundsman Calvin (Walsh). The first feature of documentarist Haas may be rather literary in tone, but for all its slightly studied air, it has many virtues. Most obviously, the actors are terrific, with Spader very successfully cast against type as a sleazeball, and Patinkin a small wonder of understatement. For the most part, Haas handles his droll, resonant parable admirably, balancing its philosophical and dramatic dynamics with assurance and wit. Crucially, he has a good eye for an element of mystery. Minor, but unexpectedly engrossing.

Author: GA 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Jack Cowdy said...
    Posted on Mar 04 2008 06:14 Excellent, a brilliant film, of Paul Auster's book.
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Cast & crew

Director: Philip Haas

Producer: Frederick Zollo, Dylan Sellers, Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski

Cast: James Spader, Mandy Patinkin, Charles Durning, Joel Grey, M Emmet Walsh, Samantha Mathis, Chris Penn full cast

Duration: 98 mins


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