Review of The Card Counter (2021) by Moviemitch96 — 12 Sep 2021

The latest from writer/director Paul Schrader (of course best known for penning the screenplays for 'Taxi Driver' and 'Raging Bull), sees Oscar Isaac as a man drifting from casino to casino playing his hand and counting cards as a means of escape from his troubled past that he can't quite seem to let go of.

While this isn't the high stakes gambling thriller that you might expect, what we get instead is a slow burn yet rather fascinating character study from Isaac who gives an always reliably great performance here, along with great support from fellow actors Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, and Willem Dafoe.

The writing and conversations are sharp and crisp, which is what really kept me invested throughout more than anything. And while the story may feel a little abstract at times, the performances and writing are what really make this one worth the watch.