Shaky start leads to triumphant finish

Rating: 10/10 (4 August 2017)

For the first 15 or 20 minutes, this film searches for its footing; several unfunny scenes depict Giamatti as a loser in life, belaboring the point, with seemingly irrelevant slices of life making the viewer wonder where the high school wrestling team fits in. Fortunately the plot takes hold, shortly before the indelible Shaffer appears on screen. And each "bit" beforehand does prove itself integral to the drama as a whole in the end. To avoid spoilers, one tangential question must be posed: why is a 16-year-old homeless ex- wrestler flush with cash? The film never explains why, although Shaffer's tattoos and cigarette- smoking allude to his being a rebel, and probably a competent prostitute prior to his arrival on Goamatti's doorstep, as far as backstory; he certainly has the body and demeanor to profit as a hustler. But this in inconsequential. Overall, the small variegated threads of this script do congeal into a fascinating movie about truth and compassion. Each character slyly evolves from an unlikable caricature to an immensely human character with believable attributes and a solidly placed heart. Yet the film somehow avoids being cliché or predictable. Absolutely a must-see, even if you feel indifferent about teen boy wrestling; the only drawback is emphasis on storyline and characterization rather than emphasis on the game (there are only about 10 minutes of actual mat-footage, and however exciting these minutes may be, the craving for more game-time may disrupt the avid sportsman's enjoyment of this film's other assets). With a handful of Oscar- nominated actors and numerous awards, "Win Win" is likely to win you over.