The Grand

A 'mockumentary' about a ten million dollar poker tournament, this is chock full of familiar faces. The best poker players are invited to the Rabbit's Foot Casino in Vegas, an aging hold-out amidst the shiny high rise establishments.

The introductions, via 'interviews', to the off-beat characters is the most interesting part of the film, starting with the casino owner, Woody Harrelson. Harrelson is a stoner (and yes, he always nails that character), married 74 times (and 'loved them all') who inherited the casino from his grandfather (Barry Corbin, in flashback scenes). After a long stint in rehab, he is playing in the tournament at his casino (is this allowed?) to save the place from developer Michael McKean. McKean is a rather vacuous self absorbed rich guy who likes to put up shiny buildings and he wants to use the land for a huge hotel that is actually just one room - the rate is a million dollars a night.

Supposedly, there was no script for the poker game segments -it was ad-libbed. If this is true, Parnell proves to be the one adept at improv who can carry the scenes, and he really is quite good. This, however, is the problem with the film, unlike the wonderful mockumentary films of Christopher Guest, there wasn't enough of a script written by those who know comedy, or a cast that can pull off so much improvisation. There are some funny moments in the film, and these are talented actors..but they seem to be left to their own devices too often with little direction on what to do with their wacky characters.

I have to say I really enjoyed this film. I saw it at Tribeca last month and to be honest I didn't have high expectations. I personally don't like most of the movies the writer/director (Zak Penn) has written of late (mostly big action comic book movies), but this is not that kind of film.

What honestly attracted me to this film was that it's an improv style film starring one of my favorite SNL people ever, Chris Parnell. He doesn't disappoint. He plays a lonely poker player who has some kind of mental problem where he's brutally honest and very, very skilled in math (which makes him a great player). Chris steals every scene he's in, which aren't enough if you ask me, but I'm biased so take that with a grain of salt.

The other actors hold their own in their respective roles all working to try and win a big tournament for 10 million dollars. I don't know enough about poker to know if it's at all accurate, but the good thing is the film doesn't really focus on actual poker all that often.

If you like the films of Christopher Guest (which I do), then I think you'll like this film as well.

Every once in a while a filmmaker is brave enough to try something a little different. This is one of those occasions and it deserves bountiful praise for both bravery and laughs.

The cast is excellent and weird while the story-lines are randomly weaved together gems of the absurd and quirky. Further, the concept of playing out a real poker tournament while asking these actors and comedians to stay within character is nothing short of genius. Not a simple accomplishment and thus, it doesn't always work perfectly and therefore no 10 stars.

The ensemble put together for this movie pretty much ensured some hysterical stuff. It is a good idea to step out of the way and let funny people be funny. Well done indeed.

Being a regular poker player myself, i was probably more interested in watching this, than a non poker player, but you do not have to be an avid poker fan to enjoy this movie, though it would be slightly more interesting if you was.

Although the main basis of the film is about 6 people who have made the final table of a £10m poker tournament, it goes into more detail at the start of the film, of each particular person and their background etc, so by the end of the movie when the final is being played, you will probably have a favourite as to who you want to win.

But although the movie was watchable, it wasn't that good that you would want to watch it again and halfway through the film you've a pretty good idea how its going to end.

If you are into poker, look out for cameo appearances of Doyle Brunson and Phil Helmuth.

Verdict: Watchable but don't expect too much out of it.

I really love this movie ... some of the set pieces are exquisitely timed and are truly very funny, Woody Harrelson is very good throughout and holds everything together well, Chris Parnell is at times hilarious, Gale Kaplan and Werner Herzog put in two brilliant top drawer comic cameos, and even Phil Gordon manages a good deadpan performance (much, much better than his poker?). There are plenty of other astutely drawn characters like Barry 'Sob Story', the 'Bust You Crew' and, need I say, Fred, Andy, Larry, Lainie and all the main characters are excellent.

What story lines there are may be a bit obvious, but they do effectively drive the comedy right through to the epilogue and outtakes - I mean, who criticises the plot of Airplane? Story is not what The Grand is about, it is about laughing at poker, people and poker people.

If you are a poker fan you should love this movie ... I am, so I can't comment if not ... perhaps you won't find it funny at all.