Customer Reviews

Rounders: A Screenplay

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This script has its roots in the Western genre: A lone gunfighter goes into retirement, usually because of a near-death(in this case metaphorical)experience in a duel with the antagonist, then something or someone, usually a friend or bounty, brings the reluctant gunfighter out for one last stand with the antagonist. Yes, we saw it before in films like UNFORGIVEN.

What makes ROUNDERS a good read, however, is it takes a familiar genre and plops it in the story of high stakes card playing. We enter a world were few are allowed to go. They speak a language all their own in this special world (thank goodness a glossary was included in the back!)

For screenwriters, fans of the film, or anyone interested in the scenario form, ROUNDERS is worth a look. It has a fast-paced, minimalistic style that keeps you hooked to the end.

It's a great example of script crafting, image, and language.

When you read a review on this movie (or any movie), critics focus on the typical, simple minded aspects of the movie like how well characters and relationships are established and how "hollywoodish" the movie is. For this reason, film critics (and the average mainstream movie goer) just didn't understand Rounders. As a card player and occassional gambler, I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who plays cards at an "advanced level" or enjoys the thrill of gambling. Most movies that put a hollywood star in a role like this will stray away from technical aspects that your mainstream movie goer doesn't notice and focus on the obvious: love, romance, happy endings, etc. Rounders never falls into this trap which is why I rate it in my top five movies of all time. Rather than try and appeal to everyone, this movie was written for us. Damon likes to play cards and he doesn't let a relationship stop him. Most movies would result in the female (or male) saving the poor, mislead gamblers life, putting him on the road to recovery and ending happily in marriage. Damon cans the girl, goes back to playing 10/20 hold 'em, looks for his opponents tell, flops a nut straight and has the patience to wait it out. If you understand this last sentence, see this movie immediately. If not, go see Rush Hour again.

Word of caution: If you can track down a seller of this screenplay, it may be the novelization of the SP instead of the SP. I made the mistake of purchasing from a marketplace seller that didn't have immacualte feedback, and got the wrong book. Anyhow, I did happen to run across the SP finally at a book wholesaler. It's great to see the stuff in the movie explained a little more. Certain lines I have never been able to make out you can see spelled out for you. There is a glossary in the back of the book that's extremely helpful and explains lingo I have never run across after reading several poker books. So yeah, even if you're not a fan of screenplays as literature, I highly recommend this.

The coveted "good read" for any screenwriting enthusiasts. ROUNDERS needs to be included in your screenplay library!