Review of Win Win (2011) by Gabe S — 13 Sep 2011

Tom McCarthy's latest indie dramedy scores points for its acting, writing, and direction. The guy who made the superb 'The Visitor' has made another film about how a man's life changes when an unexpected stranger walks into it.

That stranger this time is a blonde mop-topped teenager, played with brilliant unaffected realism by Alex Shaffer. Paul Giamatti holds our gaze front and center, a compelling everyman who tries to juggle family and work with about as much ease as us, which is to say not much.

When moral and ethical dilemmas enter the picture, the drama thickens. It's the kind of high-caliber acting we expect from the future Oscar-winner. He gets wonderful support from the likes of Amy Ryan (no nonsense and funny), Bobby Cannavale (a stitch) and the always reliably dour Jeffrey Tambor.

The story feels sitcomy in its structure and melodramatic moments. But McCarthy elevates the material with his cast and his steady hand behind the camera. We get relatable human drama and heartfelt laughter, all delivered in a lovely slice of life tale told with pathos and humanity.

It may not reach the lovely emotional heights of 'The Visitor' but McCarthy still gets to tell a story that resides in his emotional sweet spot while also being his most accessible and entertaining feature to date--a win win, to be sure.

For us and him.