Title: The Card Counter
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Paul Schrader
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins

What It Is: William Tell (Isaac) is a gambler. A really good one. He’s also ex-military. He has been drifting from casino to casino after his release from Leavenworth Prison. When he meets a young man whose now-deceased father has been through the same situation to the two connect. Meanwhile, he’s being courted for the World Series of Poker by La Linda (Haddish) who believes there’s money to be made by having him enter the largest poker tournament in the world…even though he’s more of a blackjack man.

What We Think: I love what Schrader can do with a camera. There are so many shots in this movie that you just…you can’t help but get excited. Oscar Isaac is his typical fantastic self. Tiffany Haddish is the true surprise here. I found her performance revelatory in the scope of her career. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this good. Looking at the script and dialogue it’s Paul Schrader so there’s an intelligence to it that keeps your interest. This is a gripping and brutal look at how our past can haunt us. There’s a methodical nature to Tell that really holds the mystery throughout. It’s almost two hours and that, frankly, flies by.

Our Grade: A-, I was a huge fan of Schrader’s last film First Reformed. This is yet another expertly directed piece by Schrader. This is, as his last film was, not one for everyone. Those that loved his last film though will find more of the same. Even if the story is a bit similar to the last one many shouldn’t complain about that. Stylish, sexy and tension-filled, this is on that might see some play as a best of 2021. At least for me.