Win Win

Run Time: 1hr 46mins
Release Date: March 18,2011
Directed by: Thomas McCarthy
Dropps: 8/10

The year is almost a quarter over, and with it one of the most well known film festivals, Sundance, has already come and gone. One of the festival’s picks, Win Win, a comedy starring Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan, will be opening in select theaters this weekend. The film is about Mike Flaherty (Giamatti), a lawyer and high school wrestling coach. His misfortunes are hardly few and far between until he ends up meeting the grandson of one of his clients. To his luck, the boy is a star athlete on the wrestling mat and things seem to be looking up for Mike. Then the boy’s mother enters the picture (fresh out of rehab) with the potential to ruin everyone’s newfound happiness.
Win Win is written and directed by Thomas McCarthy. Though his list of previous projects is short, it comes with a lot of recognition. He wrote and directed the films The Station Agent and The Visitor, and is credited for the storyline of Pixar’s 2009 hit Up. Even though he doesn’t have extensive experience as a director, McCarthy has spent the last 14 years in front of the camera in films that include Meet the Parents, Flags of Our Fathers, and Little Fockers. McCarthy seems to enjoy creating a welcoming atmosphere in his films even if they are laid on a rocky foundation. InWin Win, the story follows the Flaherty family happily going about their day-to-day business, with hiccups along the way; the invisible weight dangling over Mike is an apt story to be told in this climate of American current affairs. Audience members will be able to relate to an honest man doing whatever he can to provide for his family even if that means losing a little honesty. McCarthy’s directing skills seem to be enhanced by the fact that he is also an actor, as lines and actions seem well placed throughout the movie.

Paul Giamatti’s portrayal of Mike is not so different from some of his other roles (i.e. Miles inSideway or Cleveland Heep in Lady in the Water). Even thought Mike is similar to other characters Giamatti has portrayed, he does accentuate Mike’s personal tics and considerations in a memorable performance. Giamatti draws you deep into the constant frustration that Mike endures but hides from most people. Besides the frustrations of the day-to-day, Giamatti brings a certain warmth to his on-screen family. Bobby Cannavale is wonderful as Mike’s somewhat-sidekick, Terry. Cannavale’s chemistry with Giamatti and the rest of the cast is wonderfully timed. He is in his element as Terry, a man that seems to act more like a child or teenager than an adult throughout the film. Some of the film’s most memorable laughs occur when he’s on screen.
With the great talent of director Thomas McCarthy and the great acting skills of Giamatti and Cannavale, Win Win is very enjoyable to watch. Given current affairs in America, the audience will easily be able to draw parallels to their own lives from the film. All in all, if people want to see a real film that gets people to empathize with its well-executed characterization, this is the one to see.
-Ashlyn Williams