Definitely a Win Win for the viewer

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2011)

Released in the spring of 2011, Win Win was a movie that I had never even heard of, but because pig vomit (Paul Giamatti) was in it I decided to give it a shot. Giamatti has turned into one of my favorite actors in Hollywood for a few reasons and one of them is his range of roles from Kenny in Private Parts to John Adams he gives passionate and believable performances; Win Win is no different. Director Thomas McCarthy (The Visitor) put together a great cast and uses that cast to develop fantastic characters. This is not a comedy, but it has some comedy in it. At no point did I look at it and think to myself that there is too much of this or too much wrestling either; it is a complicated family dynamic movie. The movie has a lot of wrestling in it, but that isn't the message; however the wrestling isn't as hooky as it is in Vision Quest.
Giamatti's character, as with all in this movie, is real. Not as in nonfiction, but as is not a model citizen done in the Disney mold. He wants to do well for his kids and family, and will do what it takes to provide for his family. Looking at him you could easily say to yourself that you know someone just like him. The same could be said for Amy Ryan's part. She doesn't do anything spectacular except be a solid stay at home mom who cares about her family. This movie has a very real feel to it in a lot of ways and that is what makes it funny and relevant. There are a lot of recognizable faces and actors in Win Win, such as another one of my favorite straight faced comedians Jeffrey Tambor. He also performs in the film exactly as you would expect. Additionally, there are some shocking faces; such as Burt Young, who will always be Pauly from Rocky, and Melanie Lynskey who will always be Rose to me from Two and Half Men. Lynskey however is not the comedic level in this movie as she normally plays but the mother of Kyle (Alex Shaffer). Shaffer, a new comer to the screen, does a nice job of playing the troubled teen and the focal point of the movie's plot.
Win Win is not a crude dude movie but would be enjoyable to all adults. It's a solid story filled with great acting. I enjoyed it profoundly and was glad I spent the buck at Redbox.
Entertaining: Yes
Would I watch It Again: Yes
Movie Grade: B-
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