Review of Win It All (2017) by Sven T — 31 Dec 2018

I watched this movie because it had gambling and because I like Jake Johnson from New Girl. Some part of me told me no because Iâ(TM)d been burned before by Johnson in the unfunny buddy cop movie Letâ(TM)s Be Cops, however, he was pretty decent in his bit-role in Jurassic World so I figured Iâ(TM)d give it a shot. As it turns out, he doesnâ(TM)t have the chops to pull off this movie almost single-handedly. His character, Eddie, is not unlikeable but is also not very relatable. The other characters in the story, from his love interest to his brother to his friends, are either completely flat or erratic and inconsistent.

As for the storyline, it was meandering but not very exciting. There was nothing to drive the plot forward and, as a result, the movie drags. What starts with an interesting premise - hand a gambling addict a bag of cash - is made so dull by the blandness of the dialogue and events that the movie becomes tedious. Problems that arise, whether over money or romantic problems, are resolved in a single scene with relatively little drama. Despite what should be a hair-raising medical issue at the climax, the movie peters out so quietly itâ(TM)s not even clear the movie is over.

This movie walks the line between indie film and mainstream gambling action movie and is unable to deliver success down either path. Miss this film and you wonâ(TM)t be missing much.