The Card Counter (2021) - SPOILER-FREE Review
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Directed by: Paul Schrader
Written by: Paul Schrader
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, Willem Dafoe
Runtime: 109 min
Synopsis: Redemption is the long game. This revenge thriller tells the story of an ex-military interrogator turned gambler haunted by the ghosts of his past decisions.
I doubt any cinephile won't recognize Paul Schrader, but in any case, this is the screenwriter behind movies such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and more recently, First Reformed. Therefore, The Card Counter was definitely one of my most anticipated films of the last few months of the year, even though I can't state Schrader is one of my favorite filmmakers. Still, even if people ignore the famous writer-director, the stellar cast grabs the attention of any film lover. Oscar Isaac (Dune) has not only become one of the most popular actors working today but also a personal favorite, so his presence alone would always get me invested in the movie.
Redemption arcs. Moral dilemmas. Complex protagonists. Schrader's filmography is packed with these attributes, and his most recent work isn't any different. The Card Counter follows Isaac's character, William, a mysterious man who does nothing more than play cards over and over again. Whether that's blackjack or poker, William only breaks his safe, low stakes, modest gambling philosophy when La Linda (Tiffany Haddish) and Cirk (Tye Sheridan) show up in his life. From there, the viewers accompany a layered narrative about a protagonist trying to redeem himself from past sins, which are often solely described through hauntingly captivating narration.
I'm not particularly a fan of voice-over working as character development, but in this case, William being the narrator is like hearing his own thoughts. Having in mind the shocking, brutal secrets the character holds, the narration actually serves as exclusive access to the protagonist's mind. However, it does lead to some pacing issues and repetitive sequences. The first act is a tad too heavy on exposition and explanation of the card games, which will definitely be overwhelmingly confusing for people who don't know anything about gambling or find no interest in it. Obviously, blackjack and poker aren't the storytelling focus, but the never-ending gambling provides events that ultimately move the plot forward.
I find The Card Counter to be a protagonist-driven film in the sense that if the viewer doesn't connect with him, the whole movie crumbles. If you don't care about William's backstory or if you don't find the character interesting in any shape or form, then it will be challenging to take enjoyment out of this film. Fortunately, his redemption arc is strongly convincing, and the flashbacks bring a surprising layer of cruelty and violence that leads to unexpected developments. I sincerely didn't anticipate how the third act ultimately goes through, which serves as a compliment to a movie that occasionally loses itself in the first two acts, as if Schrader didn't know exactly what he wanted to achieve.
The entire film is beautifully shot by Alexander Dynan, who worked with Schrader in his last movie. With such remarkable actors, long monologues and dialogues are executed seamlessly in a single, uninterrupted take, constantly trying to pull the viewer into this complex world. Tiffany Haddish (On the Count of Three) is quite good as La Linda, a woman that gradually changes William's gambling philosophy. Haddish delivers the most genuine performance of all. Willem Dafoe (The French Dispatch) is underused as Major John Gordo, a crucial character with little screentime and often seen through weird camera effects.
Tye Sheridan (Voyagers) proves that with the right project, he's one of the brightest young stars in Hollywood. However, despite his compelling display, Cirk feels like a sidekick character who's simply along for the ride. His introduction is strangely rushed, with all of his backstory explained in a single line without anyone asking him anything. Throughout the runtime, Cirk is always next to William, but the viewers have to wait until the very end to get some kind of emotional payoff that's honestly too weak for what it provokes. Nevertheless, The Card Counter is, in fact, a story focused on the protagonist, so it's not that surprising that secondary characters don't get that much attention.
This leads me to the best attribute of the entire film: Oscar Isaac himself. I can't deny I've become an unconditional fan of the actor, but his nuanced, subdued performance truly makes him an awards contender - nominations only, I can't really see him winning in major ceremonies. Isaac moves between a caring, responsible man and an almost menacing, terrifying presence in mesmerizing fashion. With Dune and Scenes from a Marriage, without forgetting the casting for Moon Knight, 2021 was definitely a successful year for this impressive actor. May he continue to receive exciting new projects.
Final Thoughts
The Card Counter is a protagonist-driven narrative focused on a hauntingly captivating redemption arc intensely elevated by an exceptional lead performance from Oscar Isaac. The actor ends his remarkable year interpreting a complex, mysterious character with who viewers must connect in order to truly enjoy Paul Schrader's layered storytelling. From the effective flashbacks and rich narration to the unexpected final plot developments, the writer-director tackles guilt and moral responsibility in a somewhat convoluted manner with a few pacing issues. Despite a rather expository first act too centered on gambling information, this is a must-watch movie of the upcoming awards season. Beautifully shot, excellent performances, and a story that will stick with you after it ends.
