Thomas McCarthy is a writer/director who specializes in making films about people coming out of their shells and getting in touch with their humanity: In The Station Agent a shy midget is befriended by two strangers. In The Visitor a closed off professor finds people squatting in his NYC apartment, who in turn help him come to terms with things. Now, with Win Win we have the story of an attorney with a shaky law practice who is having trouble making ends meet. When he finds out that one of his wealthy clients offers $1500 a month to anyone acting as guardian, he engages in an unethical act and takes him on as his ward. Then one day, the client's grandson shows up on the front door whom the attorney decides to temporarily take in and what do you know it, the kid happens to be a first class wrestler, just what her needs for the pathetic team he coaches and to help him maybe find a little joy in his life. Win Win has the warmth and likability of his other film due in large part to his cast: Paul Giamatti stars and has become one of our finest and most expressive actors. Amy Adams is another gem and does more good work here as his wife. Jeffrey Tambor and Bobby Cannavale (who was also wonderful in The Station Agent) provide some nice laughs as the assistant coaches. Wrestling for a rag tag team in high school, I appreciated watching a similar team here and the scenes were presented by people who were actually familiar with the sport. Back to the film, I was surprised in that it didn't go the way I thought it would, yet it still seemed overlong and when the high dramatics start to fly in the latter stages, it lacks effectiveness. Still this is a warm and funny film and a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
Entertainment Magazine
Thomas McCarthy is a writer/director who specializes in making films about people coming out of their shells and getting in touch with their humanity: In The Station Agent a shy midget is befriended by two strangers. In The Visitor a closed off professor finds people squatting in his NYC apartment, who in turn help him come to terms with things. Now, with Win Win we have the story of an attorney with a shaky law practice who is having trouble making ends meet. When he finds out that one of his wealthy clients offers $1500 a month to anyone acting as guardian, he engages in an unethical act and takes him on as his ward. Then one day, the client's grandson shows up on the front door whom the attorney decides to temporarily take in and what do you know it, the kid happens to be a first class wrestler, just what her needs for the pathetic team he coaches and to help him maybe find a little joy in his life. Win Win has the warmth and likability of his other film due in large part to his cast: Paul Giamatti stars and has become one of our finest and most expressive actors. Amy Adams is another gem and does more good work here as his wife. Jeffrey Tambor and Bobby Cannavale (who was also wonderful in The Station Agent) provide some nice laughs as the assistant coaches. Wrestling for a rag tag team in high school, I appreciated watching a similar team here and the scenes were presented by people who were actually familiar with the sport. Back to the film, I was surprised in that it didn't go the way I thought it would, yet it still seemed overlong and when the high dramatics start to fly in the latter stages, it lacks effectiveness. Still this is a warm and funny film and a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
