The Gambler 4K 1974

The film plunges us into the abyss of the “evil streets” that have become familiar to many movie lovers, which were invented somewhat later by Paul Schrader together with Martin Scorsese.

James Toback, who wrote the screenplay for the film, spins a very interesting plot about a young university professor who talks about the work of many philosophers and delves into the depths of the mass subconscious, who is obsessed with gambling. At the very beginning of the film, we learn that he is faced with a very difficult task - to win back a large sum of money. Will he succeed? Only those who watch the film will be able to say.

At some points in the film, it seemed to me that Tobak's ruthlessness towards the viewer and the main character exceeded all acceptable limits. Meanwhile, this is one of the best films about gambling and one of Kaan's best roles - he perfectly portrayed all the nuances of the feelings of a person suffering from addiction.

I think that watching this film is almost mandatory for psychological rehabilitation from addiction.

Dostoevsky's name is not mentioned in the credits, but the influence of his work of the same name on the film is obvious.

For James Caan, this role is a logical continuation of the role of Santino Corleone—the characters are similar. Incidentally, this may be why he refused to appear in the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest a year later (after all, he was the “first choice”): he did not want to become a victim of one type of character.