Win It All (2017) Reviews

• Step 1: Build Plot - Step 3: Roll Credits - Step 2: ???

  LetTheJamesBegin2019-01-08

  An entertaining watch, but there's no recognizable climax to the story. There seemed to be potential, but the plot line was just a steady routine from start to finish. This was about as exciting of a story as forgetting to set your alarm clock and waking up on time anyway.

• A Drama That Lacks Punch

  atlasmb2017-05-05

  "Win It All" is a film about a guy who is floating through life, never accepting responsibility. He is also a gambling addict, which is partly to blame for his lack of maturity. He knows he needs to reform, but he cannot muster the willpower. Like most gamblers, he is always waiting for the big payoff to pull him out of his hole, and fate sends him an opportunity to regain fiscal fitness--if he can just control his impulses. This is a solid kernel of an idea for a film, and Jake Johnson feels committed to the part of the main character, Eddie, but the film never reaches its potential. Much of the story feels clichéd and the characters are underdeveloped. This is most noticeable with Eddie's romantic relationship--with Eva (Aislinn Derbez, who feels like she has more to contribute). The development of their feelings for each other is cheated by many brief scenes that sometimes feel like a montage. This may be due, in part, to editing, but the writing is the main culprit. In scenes that should carry some weight, there is inadequate exposition. It's like watching a Cliff's Notes version of a film. The ending is abrupt and underwhelming. It's unclear if this was intentional or if it was due to the inadequate build-up of dramatic tension.

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• Gambling film of the year.

  benighted20052017-04-07

  Netflix said I will give this a full score. Netflix was right. This is a film about a man who has no job and no prospects. He thinks he is a good gambler but he is not good at all. A friend/colleague is going to prison. The guy leaves the protagonist a bag and says in clear terms, don't open it. I'll take it back when I get out and give you $10k. Our protagonist agrees. But he can't help him self. What follows is a funny, entertaining and hilarious ride. I loved this. This is like an Indie Swingers. This is Jake Johnson's best film since drinking buddies which I really liked. Raw and edgy. Fans of Rounders + Swingers + Owning Mahowny may appreciate it. Whereas Louis Ck fans might wanna try it too. Why am I writing this review? The rating on IMDb is ridiculous and discouraging

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• Win It All

  Argemaluco2017-04-12

  Drinking Buddies, the first collaboration between director Joe Swanberg and actor Jake Johnson, was one of my favorite films from 2013. In 2015, they worked together again in Digging for Fire, but in that case, the film was boring and disappointing. And now, in 2017, Swanberg and Johnson worked together once more in Win It All, quite an interesting film which evokes honest emotions with a deceptively simple screenplay and excellent performances. Johnson is best known for his work in the sitcom New Girl (one of my favorite series, by the way), but he has gradually become a brilliant actor, maybe limited to the particular "likable loser" niche, but with a big talent to capture the humanity hidden behind the dysfunctions of his characters. In the case of Win It All, said dysfunction is the gambling addiction in every possible way. Then, the unexpected visit of an old "partner" presents a unique opportunity for Johnson's character, and the rest of the movie portrays his sincere struggle to overcome his vice and create a new life, while making catastrophic decisions which couldn't only ruin his efforts, but also cost his life. As I previously said, a simple premise, but capable of taking us all over the emotional spectrum in a matter of seconds, without losing the rhythm of the tale and without betraying the nature of the characters. And besides, we also have perfect performances from Joe LoTruglio (best known for his work in Brooklyn Nine Nine, another one of my favorite sitcoms), Keegan Michael-Key, Aislinn Derbez, Nicky Excitement and José Antonio García in supporting roles. On the negative side, I found the ending of Win It All too abrupt, while trying to distract us from the main drama; I don't want to reveal too much, so I will leave that complaint ambiguous. Nevertheless, Win It All deserves a recommendation as a solid combination of comedy and drama in which things are exactly like they seem... and they are still able to keep us interested. In summary, I'm definitely interested in watching more collaborations between Swanberg and Johnson. Maybe a cinematographic "crossover" of Drinking Buddies and New Girl?

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• Win it all $$$ Review

  Thatmoviesguy2017-05-16

  Jake Johnson (Let's be cops) stars as Eddie a guy who's down on his luck and addicted to gambling while trying to get his life back on track. Eddie soon gets into trouble after losing money he's supposed to be looking after as a favour. In debt and out of time, needing the money back can he 'win it all"? Co-staring is Jo Lo Truglio ( Brooklyn nine-nine). Win it all, to me is just a low budget version of The Gambler staring Mark Wahlberg. Which I would say the latter is the better watch. Only just... This Netflix Original film is average at best and just has no real depth to the film, a real lack of direction. Having said all of that the acting in this film is good and I felt there was good chemistry. One or two nice moments in the film but in the end you left feeling like maybe I've just wasted my time. Very forgettable. Review 5/10

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