There are a number of factors that can attribute to the success or failure of a dramatic movie. The movie Rounders seems to have it all: a good plot, an excellent cast, and a great setting all paired with the perfect amount of suspense. Some might try to compare this movie to your typical sports based movie where the movie solely revolves around playing a game. (Maybe add a "However," to indicate the switch more clearly.) This movie has characters and a plot that go much deeper than any other sports movie that I’ve seen.

The movie Rounders is set in New York’s high-stakes underground poker world. Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is a law student and an underground poker player. He sneaks out one night and loses his life savings and college tuition to a Russian mobster known as Teddy KGB in a big game of poker. Mike McDermott, (Delete the comma.) vows to his girlfriend to give up playing cards forever and just concentrate on law school. His new life seems to be a legitimate road to success until his best friend, worm (Edward Norton) a card shark, gets out of prison. Mike finds himself back into poker with 3 days to help pay off a $15,000 debt for worm. Mike’s only hope is to go back to the same Russian mobster that he lost his money to before, Teddy KGB.

Combining Matt Damon and Edward Norton together was the key ingredient to making this movie great. In the opening scene it shows Matt Damon sitting at a poker table while he briefly explains how the game is played. Matt Damon narrates his thoughts like this through out the movie. This is one of those rare instances when the voiceover doesn't seem unnecessary or intrusive, because it's through the main character’s narration that it (the movie?) allows the viewers to learn the ins and outs of being successful at cards. Mikes thoughts are crucial during the hand where he loses his entire life savings. The suspense builds through the hand and you are as convinced as Mike that you’re going to walk away with all of the chips. Then when Teddy KGB flips his cards you have the same feeling of disbelief as Mike as he loses the hand. This type of narration was very appropriate for trying to make the viewer think and face some of the same decisions as mike in the movie. According to Mike, winning at poker is all skill and no luck. It's about playing the other men at the table, not the cards. A serious player only needs one big win per hour. And "if you can't spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, you are the sucker." This technique not only lets the viewer in on what is happening in the scene, but at the same time it draws you closer to the main character Mike (Matt Damon). And even though Matt Damon played a very convincing role, the movie would not be the same without Edward Norton. Worm (Edward Norton) is Mike’s good friend that recently got out of prison. While in prison he’s learned a few new tricks when it comes to cards. He plays the role of a card shark to perfection and makes you think that he’s been playing in the world of underground poker all his life.

The only thing about this movie that may be slightly disturbing is that it makes a very positive statement about gambling. Instead of showing that it is an addiction, they show it as more of a conquest and an accomplishment. Therefore, I would recommend this movie to anyone that is old enough to understand the risks of gambling. I’m not sure if the movie intended to send out this message to the viewers, but that is the way some views took it. This movie would be an instant favorite for any card player, but also a great choice for those with little or no previous poker knowledge. Most movies that are based on a specific thing such as poker you would need some previous knowledge to be able to understand and enjoy the movie. This movie combines main character narration with a well developed plot and cast to make you feel like you yourself are at the table playing. The depth of the characters only heightens your interest in the movie and draws you in. This movie offers interesting characters and a compelling plot. After watching this movie you may feel impelled to go and play poker. That is why this movie remains to be an all time favorite of mine.