Very Good Dramedy

Rating: 8/10 (18 August 2011)

There's a coziness and relatability that runs pretty high in Thomas McClathy's "Win-Win" starring Paul Giamatti and Alex Shaffer. The movie manages a great offbeat blend of comedy and drama. The acting is very good and unforced. The environment and backdrop in wrestling is new and more original. And the story although not original is fleshed out enough with a great ending. I particularly liked all the goofy coach cheer-leading and horsing around, and thought Alex Shaffer, whom I read is a real wrestler, did a great job in his acting debut, a performance reminiscent of Sean Penn's in "At Close Range". This is certainly one of the better movies of 2011. Recommended.