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Deal

A card game film for anyone who thought ‘21’ was too sophisticated

By Matt Pais

Metromix
April 25, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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Former poker master Tommy (Burt Reynolds, sadly) hasn’t played a hand in more than 20 years, so to quench his thirst for the game he decides to mentor young up-and-comer Alex (Bret Harrison of “Reaper”).

Big question: Can “Deal” recapture the poker craze that peaked several years ago?

Skip it: Gee, ya think Tommy might get back in the game and square off against his protégé? If you think this is a spoiler then you need to improve your powers of prognostication, which can then save you from seeing an atrocious Shannon Elizabeth as a Vegas local who may or may not be falling for Alex.

Catch it: For the double meaning of Alex telling Tommy, “Maybe you can’t read people as well as you thought.” Wow, poker players are deep.

Bottom line: In terms of cashing in on poker mania, “Deal” is so late to the party that it’s actually late to the apartment where the guy who threw the party used to live. The film also has so little about strategy or what to watch for in the big game--and so little actually at stake in the climactic match--that you start to wonder if co-writer/director Gil Cates Jr. has any interest in poker whatsoever.

Bonus: Tommy’s wife accepts his return to the table because -- paraphrasing here -- his need to do it is stronger than her need for him not to. Think very carefully before using this as an excuse for anything your significant other has warned you about.

What do you think of 'Deal? Email me: mpais@tribune.com