Reviews

The comparisons to "Babel" and "Fast Food Nation" are way off the mark. "Even Money" is a film noir with revenge at its center, in gambling win or lose there is a payday and in this movie all the debts are paid, and there is potential for two couples to emerge from their morass. This is a good film, directed by a pro, Mark Rydell, who has even has a cameo role in which some of the irony and mystery is explained.

This is a sleazy movie -- to paraphrase Michael Douglas in "Wall Street," sleaze is good, and tips its hat to Orson Welles in one of my favorite films, "Touch of Evil." Yes, it is about addiction and much of the extraordinary cast (Kim Basinger, Kelsey Grammar, Danny Devito, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotto and Tim Roth among them) play it carefully, straddling the line, without becoming camp or going over the top. High marks to the director for this.

If you like your cynicism straight and don't turn your head at a little cinematic violence this is a movie you will enjoy. Its well worth taking a flier on.

This is a lovely film and heralds the appearance of an important new director. As a writer-director-actress Miranda July made no missteps and the cast was terrific. From the opening sequence you find yourself in the hands of an original visionary with vast creative talents.

I liked it very much. Ms. July and the rest of the cast spoke after the screening. She was modest and quick to deflect praise from herself to members of the cast. John Hawkes who was the male lead has a magic all unto himself. I am sure that it will win Spirit Awards from FIND.

In a series of moments throughout the film I think everyone will choose a favorite; there are ample opportunities to find these moments and savor them.

Someone to watch.