One last ride - L'ultima corsa

The production qualities of this film are obviously tailor made for TV. The hard edges of the descent into the depths of gambling addiction have all been smoothed off. That's not to say the situations and predicaments are unrealistic. There's no brutal violence, but some hard core language. No sex, substance abuse or slimy cohorts either.

All the characters seem like upstanding citizens, including the restaurateur/loan shark. It feels like a New York story that got moved to the mid-west. Jewish and Italian characters throughout. It's a fairly fast-paced film that takes place over the course of less than a week. Very linear, with no sub-plots other than a marriage that crumbles suddenly when the wife discovers how bad his addiction has become.

Maybe the best part is the lack of a fairy-tale ending. No winning the "big one" and paying off debts and starting new. Instead there's a more realistic ending of a promise to never gamble again, and an agreement that separation might be the best thing. For that, it beats almost every Hollywood gambling movie. No getting off scott-free, but not everyone has to die either.

Watchable, and believable, but nothing special. More of a drama than an action film.

"One Last Ride" may hit a little too close to home for anyone with a gambling problem. Yet, the movie clearly shows the self destructive behavior in a way that is both entertaining and educational. The lying, cheating, stealing, and everything else that goes with this life destroying disease is on display. Chazz Palminterri, and Charles Durning are especially good in their supporting roles. Patrick Cupo plays the addict who is in way over his head, and drowning in his addiction. His friends and spouse, as is all too typical, become the lied to and cheated. The lesson here is that no one wins. Mandatory viewing for all compulsive gamblers. - MERK

One Last Ride illustrates on screen, an obsessed gambling addict Michael (Patrick Cupo) who is in trouble from the first minute of the film, and can't help but get into more trouble. I felt pity for him, and cringed at his every (wrong) move. There is a bit of comedy relief from his best friend Carmine (Joe Marinelli) who is his steadfast, trustworthy (but not too smart) "first wife" who accompanies Michael on his misadventures. Hopelessly in debt to Tweat (Chazz Palminteri), his pregnant wife (Anita Barone) expecting any day, suspicious boss (Charles Durning), and ghostly apparition father (Robert Davi) add to Michael's chug-a-lugging of Mylanta. Michael is proof positive that scared money can't win.

A definite must see, but pay attention because it does move as fast as the thoroughbreds.