Rating of
2.5/4
Lay It On Smooth
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/22/13
This is a character-driven film all the way. The great thing about it is that those characters are much different than what you expect having seen the actors involved over the years. The story isn't exceptional, but it holds together enough to interesting. Even if you don't know a thing about gambling (or don't care) - it opens up enough if this slice of life to prove not everyone involved in the trade is an oily, greedy monster.
That brings us to our lineup. Bruce Willis is the main gambler, Dink Heimowitz - and if all you know him from is Die Hard or other action films, he really manages to present an entirely different facet. He's insecure, he's under the thumb of his wife, Tulip (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and - dare I say - even vulnerable. When he gets mad, you get a hint of John McClane - but it's amazing what he can do when he's just being, well, regular.
Rebecca Hall comes to Las Vegas looking to turn a new page in her life - by becoming a cocktail waitress. Good thing she meets up with Dink instead. Hall comes off as both a portrait of innocent naivety and a drop-dead gorgeous sexpot. She also functions as a good luck charm for Dink - and isn't too bad at working the game for herself. While she shares a connection with Dink - much to the the chagrin of Tulip. This relationship eventually leads Dink to get her out of his life - at least temporarily.
That's when Rosie enters the picture. Vince Vaughn usually plays comedy, but as Rosie he's more wild an unpredictable than laugh-out-loud funny. This is a man who wants it all, but as soon as he gets it, completely loses it. Self-destruction is a terrible thing - but Vaughn plays it like a champ.
Joshua Jones and Laura Prepon round out the main cast. While I wish both characters had been given as much, well, character as our main duo, they were pleasant enough. It's the interactions that drive the story - and the actors do work very well together. I admit this is not the typical movie I would seek out, but I'm glad I had a chance to review it and would recommend it to anyone looking for something light-hearted, yet quite uplifting.
