Rounders (1998) — High-Stakes Poker Crime Drama
When the stakes are everything, knowing when to walk away can be the hardest move of all. Directed by John Dahl and starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, Rounders is a gripping drama about underground poker, loyalty, ambition and the dangerous temptation of one more hand.
Detailed Story Synopsis
Mike McDermott is a gifted young poker player and law student who dreams of becoming a professional champion. After losing his entire bankroll to Teddy KGB, a ruthless Russian club owner, Mike promises his girlfriend Jo that he will abandon the underground poker circuit and focus on a stable future. But when his reckless childhood friend Lester “Worm” Murphy is released from prison, old habits prove hard to break.
Worm quickly pulls Mike back into New York's secretive world of backroom card games, hustlers and dangerous debts. While Mike relies on his skill at reading opponents and calculating risk, Worm's cheating and impulsive decisions threaten both their lives. With the clock ticking on a debt owed to a powerful lender, Mike must decide whether to protect his friend, preserve his relationship and legal career, or gamble everything on his extraordinary talent at the table.
Featuring tense poker sequences, sharp dialogue and an atmospheric look at the underground gambling scene, Rounders has become a cult favorite among movie fans and poker enthusiasts.
Cast & Characters
- Matt Damon — Mike McDermott
- Edward Norton — Lester “Worm” Murphy
- John Malkovich — Teddy KGB
- Gretchen Mol — Jo
- John Turturro — Joey Knish
- Famke Janssen — Petra
- Martin Landau — Professor Abe Petrovsky
- Michael Rispoli — Grama
- Melina Kanakaredes — Barbara
- Josh Mostel — Zagosh
- Tom Aldredge — Judge Marinacci
- Paul Cicero — Russian thug
- Ray Iannicelli — Kenny
- Merwin Goldsmith — Sy
Movie Information
Year: 1998
Director: John Dahl
Writers: David Levien and Brian Koppelman
Studio: Miramax Films
Genre: Crime / Drama / Thriller
Rating: R
Runtime: Approximately 121 minutes
Language: English
Rounders / Swingers — Double Feature
Format: DVD Double Feature
Condition: Used
Second Film: Swingers (1996). Written by and starring Jon Favreau, this witty comedy-drama follows Mike Peters (Jon Favreau), an aspiring actor trying to rebuild his confidence after a painful breakup. With help from his outgoing friend Trent Walker (Vince Vaughn) and a circle of fellow struggling performers, Mike navigates the Los Angeles nightlife, awkward dating encounters and the hope of a fresh start. Directed by Doug Liman, the film also stars Ron Livingston as Rob, Patrick Van Horn as Sue, Alex Désert as Charles and Heather Graham as Lorraine. Genre: Comedy / Drama; Rating: R; Runtime: Approximately 96 minutes.
This double feature includes both Rounders (1998) and Swingers (1996). Disc count and any bonus features depend on the exact release.