Matt Damon, Edward Norton, John Turturro

Mike is a law student who has once been burned playing poker, and has turned his back on gambling in order to settle in with his girlfriend Jo, and his studies. When his former partner in crime Worm i...( read more  read more... )s released from prison, though, he is tempted back to the card tables and realises how much he enjoys the thrill of gambling. Jo leaves him, and he goes on a poker spree with Worm, in an attempt to recoup a debt that Worm has carried over from before prison. The men to whom Worm owes the money get heavy, and Mike is forced into a showdown with Teddy KGB, the hood to whom he lost his life savings a year before.

Flixster Users

87% liked it

31,129 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

74 critics

R, 121 min.

Directed by: John Dahl

Release Date: September 11, 1998

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 3, 2001

Stats: 4,735 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (4,735)


  • September 30, 2009
    A bit over rated this film. It was ok but nothing special. Everyone did well apart from Malkovich who stank to high heaven, he should wipe it off his CV!
  • September 27, 2009
    Easy does it Cowboy.

    I watched this movie probably 6-7 times in high school, as I was addicted to Poker. My buddies wanted to watch this...so I got to see it again.

    It was actually a little better than I remember it. Good movie.
  • April 24, 2009
    This was very disappointing. Matt Damon was flat, and though Ed Norton was good, he couldn't save it. Complete waste of talent: John Turturro and John Malkovich also fell victim to this awful script. The main question is this: does the main character have a gambling addiction, or...( read more) is this a game of skill at which he's talented? Unfortunately, not even the writer seems to care.
  • February 17, 2009
    I was slightly disappointed at this film, given that it was a good cast, particularly as Ed Norton was part of that cast.

    There was really no excitement throughout, when you compare it to such films as Lock, Stock.. which had relatively short couple of scenes playing poker, i...( read more)t was transformed to a viewer in a way that made you feel the emotions of the roller coaster ride the characters were taking and yet this film never managed to get anywhere near that.

    I was certainly expecting a little more razzle dazzle.
  • May 1, 2008
    I thought this was pretty decent. It does have two of my favourite actors so of course that made it more appealing to me, in fact that was the reason I picked this up in the first place. It can be a little slow I guess, and I can understand it could be boring for people who absol...( read more)utely hate movies about poker. So that's the first thing - If you hate movies based around playing cards then do yourself a favour and don't waste your time. For me it was fine, I don't mind that at all.

    Matt Damon looks really young in this flick, but he is himself and kind of relaxed playing this kind of character. Edward Norton was again amazing. I'm telling you this guy can ace any role, without him my rating would be a lot lower. Oh and John Malkovich was just brilliant, not the acting as such but more just his personality fitting well to the character.

    A nice drama about poker that really should be seen by more people. It's oldish but worth watching if you don't mind these types of movies.
  • October 27, 2009
    first of all i'll have to make it clear that i know nothing about poker and still i liked this movie. it starts with Mike telling us a few stuff about poker and how he stopped gambling when he lost all his savings in one game, after about half an hour Edward Norton -Worm - finall...( read more)y shows up (i don't like Matt Damon so i was waiting for Ed) anyway Worm comes out of prison and has a lot of money to repay so Mike helps him out by his skills in poker (Worm is good in poker only by cheating); i'll leave the rest for you to watch.

    i learned a couple things of poker, and after a week i watched Lucky You and learned even more (Eric Bana in that film explained some stuff in more detail). all in all Rounders is a cool poker movie with good performances from John Malkovich and Edward who made the character Worm interesting to watch, though he's a careless and irresponsible guy you just wanna slap.
  • September 3, 2009
    La mejor peli de poker de todos los tiempos, trata al juego con respeto tal que asombra. Para todo, si no encuentras al tonto de la mesa en la primera media hora, entonces el tonto eres tu.
  • August 27, 2009
    Great film. great cast.
  • August 25, 2009
    The most interesting character is NOT Matt Damon. Ed Norton, John Turturro, and John Malkovich are amazing.
  • August 23, 2009
    I'd much rather see Damon and Norton work side by side than Affleck and Damon. This film right here solidifies that theory. Two different players, one reckless, one careful, both straightforward and fearless with the confidence to take on any poker adversary. This movie reminded ...( read more)me of Good Will Hunting, but with cards. And a much better cast. Malkovich with your oreos.

Critic Reviews


July 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Though it's a good-looking flick with some smart acting and a few flashy runs, it barely breaks even dramatically, and feels, overall, like a good chance wasted. full review

May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

In fighting to show the psychological complexities in Mike that the script ignores, Damon plays it like a rounder instead of a grinder. This kid still has surprises up his sleeve. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Rounders cheerfully buys into compulsive gambling! full review

January 1, 2000
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

According to director John Dahl's Rounders, professional poker players are very, very interesting people -- for about five minutes. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

No energy! full review

January 1, 2000
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A promising cast can't rescue a script without surprises!

View more Rounders reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Ocean's Eleven
    Ocean's Eleven (62%)
  • 21
    21 (68%)
  • Shade
    Shade (100%)
  • Poolhall Junkies
    Poolhall Junkies (100%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


Rounders Trivia


  • What hand does Matt Damon win with at the end of Rounders?  Answer »
  • The 1998 film Rounders starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton co-stars which superhero actress?  Answer »
  • Which actor is not in the movie Rounders?  Answer »
  • Who connects :The Illusionists, Kingdom Of Heaven, American History X, Red Dragon, Frida, Fight Club, Rounders ?  Answer »

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?