Who doesn’t like to see actors fully embrace The Method? The lengths that certain performers will go to in order to encapsulate their adopted character have been well-documented; prosthetics, weight gain, weight loss, increased muscle mass and even self-induced dentistry are all accepted forms of “getting into character.” They’re also widely noted for their correlation to awards nods – the less you look like yourself, the higher the chance of bagging a statuette. So, could Mark Wahlberg be in line to finally land an Oscar for his performance in The Gambler?
Loosely based on the 1974 James Caan-starrer of the same name, The Gambler is headed up by Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes director Rupert Wyatt. Both helmer and star look bound for awards glory with the gritty drama, after leaving behind the blockbuster shackles and delving into more serious fare. To immerse himself in the role, the Marky Mark adopted a strict diet to lose 60 pounds before tackling the role of Jim Bennett, an English professor who struggles with his gambling addiction and how it affects those around him.
The glimpses we’ve seen so far indicate a certain mania to his character, and this latest full-length trailer continues to document Bennett’s downward spiral. Fleshing out the extent of his turmoil and giving a better look at the starry supporting cast, Jessica Lange, Brie Larson and John Goodman, this latest preview is definitely worth a watch before The Gambler opens in select theatres on December 19th.
Jim Bennett (Academy Award®-nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Academy Award®-winner Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance…
