Alex Cox will always be remembered for the astonishing one-two punch of 'Repo Man' and 'Sid and Nancy', yet his finest achievement was the daring, career-destroying 'Walker'. As if being exiled from the studio system wasn't enough, Cox then made the diabolically awful 'Straight To Hell' to seemingly bury any credibility he may have had left. 'The Winner' represents yet another oddity from Cox's years in the indie wilderness, but perhaps has the highest curio factor due to its eyebrow-raising ensemble cast. Yet what makes 'The Winner', ultimately, a loser, is in all fairness not attributed to Cox but rather its unimpressive, derivative, post-Tarantino screenplay (allegedly adapted from a play, presumably off-off-off-off Broadway). Cox and the cast struggle with its uneven tone and, despite Frank Whaley scoring in a hilariously slimy role, the unfunny nature of the script is barely able to justify the film's incessant stylistic zaniness. While it does work in small doses (an effective opening and a memorably odd ending), it simply isn't enjoyable enough to even warrant minor cult status. That said, it is at least a slight cut above the other interminable 'Pulp Fiction' clones that plagued the mid-to-late nineties. But what sort of endorsement is that?
16 Reviews
No winner here.
lastliberal15 July 2007
Rebecca De Mornay - yes! Vincent D'Onofrio - yes! Delroy Lindo - yes! Michael Madsen - yes! What more could you want in a movie.
Put them in Vegas and give us a story about robbery, and you got me. yes, you got me - with a movie that just didn't seem to go anywhere. It just jumped all over the place and had no consistent theme.
Wendy Riss is just not a scriptwriter, yet. Work some more and get it right.
I expected much more from director Alex Cox, especially after the job he did with Rosario Tijeras. I was so disappointed.
Not a winner!
Put them in Vegas and give us a story about robbery, and you got me. yes, you got me - with a movie that just didn't seem to go anywhere. It just jumped all over the place and had no consistent theme.
Wendy Riss is just not a scriptwriter, yet. Work some more and get it right.
I expected much more from director Alex Cox, especially after the job he did with Rosario Tijeras. I was so disappointed.
Not a winner!
Spaced Out Film
whpratt114 June 2006
Thought quite possibly this film would be entertaining due to the fact that it was dealing with Las Vegas. After viewing a few scenes, I was completely disappointed in the story. However, the poor actors all did a great job despite their horrible scrips and story line. Rebecca DeMornay,(Louise) played a gal who has been around the block quite a few times and decides to get her eyes and claws into a certain guy who bets only on Sunday's at a casino and always wins. As soon as the guy wins large amounts of money, like $150,000. he gives all the money away and keeps about Five Thousand dollars so he can play next Sunday. Saverio Guerra,"Becker" TV Series '98-03(as Bob) makes a few brief appearances and acts just the same way he did in Becker. This is a big waste of time and not worth waisting your time.
A Bad Script Turns 'Winner' Into 'Loser'
ccthemovieman-125 June 2007
Yes, I agree with people here; this is a "coulda, woulda, shoulda" film. It could have been better and should have been.....but it's horrible, an absolute stinker.
I liked the premise but the story turned out stupid. The comedy was lame and the characters - all of them - were so sleazy and unlikable, how could you like the film?
After watching three years of Vincent D'Onofrio play the soft-spoken, super-intelligent "Det. Robert Goren: on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, I am amazed to look back at this film resume. Prior to that, he played almost nothing but despicable, demented characters. The rest of the cast in here wasn't shocking, either, as they have done similar work. They all can act, though. I'm speaking of fairly big "name" actors in this film: D'Onofrio, Rebecca De Mornay, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Madsen and Delroy Lindro.
But, it's hard to overcome a very bad script and lame one-liners that were supposed to be funny. Now I am more familiar with these actors than I was a dozen years ago, this might be better or at least interesting. Yet, I can't help but think a script that features nothing but unlikeable and sleazy characters is usually going to fall short
It's too bad, because I like stories centered in Las Vegas and gambling and this cast certainly is interesting.....but the story was anything but that. Maybe it's the director: his hits, "Sid And Nancy" and "Repo Man" also were way too sordid for me.
I liked the premise but the story turned out stupid. The comedy was lame and the characters - all of them - were so sleazy and unlikable, how could you like the film?
After watching three years of Vincent D'Onofrio play the soft-spoken, super-intelligent "Det. Robert Goren: on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, I am amazed to look back at this film resume. Prior to that, he played almost nothing but despicable, demented characters. The rest of the cast in here wasn't shocking, either, as they have done similar work. They all can act, though. I'm speaking of fairly big "name" actors in this film: D'Onofrio, Rebecca De Mornay, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Madsen and Delroy Lindro.
But, it's hard to overcome a very bad script and lame one-liners that were supposed to be funny. Now I am more familiar with these actors than I was a dozen years ago, this might be better or at least interesting. Yet, I can't help but think a script that features nothing but unlikeable and sleazy characters is usually going to fall short
It's too bad, because I like stories centered in Las Vegas and gambling and this cast certainly is interesting.....but the story was anything but that. Maybe it's the director: his hits, "Sid And Nancy" and "Repo Man" also were way too sordid for me.
A little messed up.
Crowbot-225 April 2000
Could of been a great movie, would have a been a great movie, but it wasn't. Bad camera shots, made it look like a drunk guys point of view. Paper-thin script, the plot was good, but it looks like someone was in a hurry when making this, so instead we get bad one-liners, and some ideas that don't make any sense. Really bad acting. This had some real uninspired, that reminded me of puppets. I can't say everyone was bad in it though, Vincent whatever his last name is, who played Philip I think, looked really vulnerable, and brought some realism to the movie, and Frank Whaley who played Joey, the only person who was symphaphetic of Philip, was pretty cool, what a quack! Though I don't believe he was gay, I think he was schizophrenic.
But all in all, I would suggest to stay away from this movie, unless your into really weird stuff, or some of the actors/actresses.
But all in all, I would suggest to stay away from this movie, unless your into really weird stuff, or some of the actors/actresses.
Pretentious nonsense ............
merklekranz11 January 2011
"The Winner" could be the "gold standard" example of a movie that cheats the audience. Enticing you in with capable actors, Rebecca DeMornay, Vincent D'Onofrio, Delray Lindo, Michael Madsen, and Billy Bob Thornton, and then giving them an absolutely worthless script to work with. This thing is so scatter shot, so talky, and so ridiculous, that describing a plot would be futile. It also might give the mistaken impression that there is one. The set up of a guy who can't lose at the casino is never explored beyond the initial idea, and there is absolutely no payoff for the long suffering audience. "The Winner" is definitely a loser. - MERK
Ouch! What are all those crazies doing up there on my screen?
dennis414 February 1999
Avoid this one at all costs!
clemir25 August 2005
This movie should be a about a guy who wins at the casinos all the time, which sound interesting, BUT: it isn't really bout that! OK, there is a guy in it who "they say" wins all the time, but its actually just about lot of people who have no real background, characteristic or what so ever, who want that guys money. The camera sucks big time, I had the feeling the whole movie was shot in totals, no close ups at all. Michael Madsen and the female leading role's t&a are the only things worth mentioning in this movie. oh well, she had great legs too! And Billy Bob Thornton, i actually didn't recognize him anywhere in the movie, might be someone with the same name (kidding, but I really didn't recognize him...awkward!). I'd love to write some more on this one, but it's just that there isn't anything left to...well, just the summary: AVOID IT!
This Movie Does Not (or should not) Exist
LeonLouisRicci2 August 2014
Okay, Now it makes some sort of Sense. After Seeing this Movie with a Cast of Quirky Stars and Cult Director Alex Cox, You might Scratch Your Head Raw Wondering, What the? But the Back(stabbing) Story is that the Director was Ambushed by the Producers.
It Seems that They took the Finished Film, Re Edited, Added a Different Soundtrack and Released this Bomb to Non-Existent Audiences, Furious Critics, and Disappointment Everywhere. So Alex Cox Disowned the Film and Tried to have His Named Removed.
Is the Abomination that was Released Worth a Watch? The Shortest Answer is...NO. That's a No with a Shout. Because it is Embarrassing. Nothing Seems to Work. The Usual Reliable Cast of Usually Interesting Actors All are Either Miscast or Appear to be Lost in this Muddle and Don't Know the Ending or Their Next Lines.
The Few Standout Visuals are So Few that the Drudgery of Sitting Through the Odd Pacing and Unfunny Stuff is Not Worth the Effort. Like the Director, it is Best to not Acknowledge this Films Existence for the Sake of Everyone Involved.
It Seems that They took the Finished Film, Re Edited, Added a Different Soundtrack and Released this Bomb to Non-Existent Audiences, Furious Critics, and Disappointment Everywhere. So Alex Cox Disowned the Film and Tried to have His Named Removed.
Is the Abomination that was Released Worth a Watch? The Shortest Answer is...NO. That's a No with a Shout. Because it is Embarrassing. Nothing Seems to Work. The Usual Reliable Cast of Usually Interesting Actors All are Either Miscast or Appear to be Lost in this Muddle and Don't Know the Ending or Their Next Lines.
The Few Standout Visuals are So Few that the Drudgery of Sitting Through the Odd Pacing and Unfunny Stuff is Not Worth the Effort. Like the Director, it is Best to not Acknowledge this Films Existence for the Sake of Everyone Involved.
Please, release the right version !
Rex, Regis6 September 2000
There are two versions of "The Winner", the studio version released in the States and the Director version released in Japan only. I've seen the latter in Tokyo a couple of years ago and I really enjoyed it (great actors, great unreal atmosphere and very good story), but it looks like other User Comments (pretty negative) are based on the former. I hope that the DVD release will be based on the Director Version only, in order to give to this very good movie what it deserves.
A terrific script, but...
dimitiii11 December 2002
A finely tuned and taut script may have been laid to waste here by careless, directoral miscues.
Philip (Vincent D'Onofrio) goes on a roulette winning streak in Las Vegas and discovers some hard lessons about faithfulness and betrayal. One of the central themes -- what happens to a person when he finds himself suddenly in the grips of material and financial wealth, and just as importantly, what happens to the recipient's so-called friends and acquaintances in relation to that recipient -- is worth conveying and, as a viewer, exploring in all its nuance and implications. The script certainly seems ready to achieve that -- not to mention there's a near-all-star cast to boot -- but in the hands of director Alex Cox, all the talent (both in terms of cast and script) seems to have been for naught. Cox directs with an uneven hand so that the movie lacks the tonal consistency it deserves. He also exhibits schmaltzy tendencies that move us away from the essence of the script -- it speaks volumes that the movie, which was originally titled "A Darker Purpose" (an acclaimed play by Wendy Riss, who also wrote the screenplay) got turned into a movie titled, well, "The Winner." One can't help but wonder then what would have become of this script if it had fallen into the right director's hands.
Philip (Vincent D'Onofrio) goes on a roulette winning streak in Las Vegas and discovers some hard lessons about faithfulness and betrayal. One of the central themes -- what happens to a person when he finds himself suddenly in the grips of material and financial wealth, and just as importantly, what happens to the recipient's so-called friends and acquaintances in relation to that recipient -- is worth conveying and, as a viewer, exploring in all its nuance and implications. The script certainly seems ready to achieve that -- not to mention there's a near-all-star cast to boot -- but in the hands of director Alex Cox, all the talent (both in terms of cast and script) seems to have been for naught. Cox directs with an uneven hand so that the movie lacks the tonal consistency it deserves. He also exhibits schmaltzy tendencies that move us away from the essence of the script -- it speaks volumes that the movie, which was originally titled "A Darker Purpose" (an acclaimed play by Wendy Riss, who also wrote the screenplay) got turned into a movie titled, well, "The Winner." One can't help but wonder then what would have become of this script if it had fallen into the right director's hands.
Was Hoping for So Much More
michaelbkelly3 August 2002
This film had quite a bit going for it. Interesting premise... Alex Cox directing, Michael Madsen, Rebecca DeMournay, starring, Las Vegas setting..but,alas, it wasn't meant to be. I was bored throughout this film. I kept hoping that it would pick up. It just didn't! Must have looked good on paper, sure didn't on screen.
Movie distinguished by great writing and acting
Aurelia7 February 2003
I love this movie!! I'd love to see a copy of the script... the dialogue is amazing. Billy Bob Thornton is hilarious in a toupee. Vincent D'Onofrio is compelling as always. Every so often a movie falls between the cracks when it could have been a huge hit and I think this little gem directed by Alex Cox is one of them.
Another flawed but fascinating Alex Cox movie.
Infofreak30 September 2002
Alex Cox has had a very tempestuous relationship with Hollywood over the years, and I think he has all but disowned 'The Winner', but as uneven as it is, it still makes interesting viewing. Vincent D'Onofrio ('Full Metal Jacket') plays Philip, a guy who goes into a casino every Sunday and wins. Consistently. This creates quite a stir and all kinds of people come out of the woodwork wanting a piece of the action, including a showgirl (Rebecca De Mornay - 'Runaway Train') who romances him even though she is involved with a casino heavy (Billy Bob Thornton - 'Pushing Tin'), his estranged criminal brother (Michael Madsen - 'Reservoir Dogs), a nutty wanna be mobster (Frank Whaley - 'Swimming With Sharks') and his two bumbling sidekicks (Richard Edson - 'Strange Days' and Saverio Guerra - 'Becker'). All are planning to rip him off in some fashion. While this movie doesn't completely satisfy there are enough enjoyable scenes from the outstanding supporting cast of low lifes and oddballs to make it worth watching. Delroy Lindo ('Get Shorty') plays the mysterious boss of the casino, and Cox regulars Sy Richardson and Biff Yeager pop up in brief cameos, as does the director himself. I would be very much interested in seeing Cox's own cut of 'The Winner' but until then , this is a curious movie that is worth a look. Flawed yes, but fascinating.
A boring "thriller"
astridlee18 August 2000
What a disappointment - with such good actors like D'Onofrio and director - Cox - we were all primed for, if not a great thriller, at least a decent gambling, Vegas movie. It was hard to maintain any interest in the insipid and one-dimensional characters and uninvolving story line. It looks like it was adapted from a play by the author and perhaps she needed more help structuring it. The actors try but seem to be directing themselves. Give it a miss.
A Loser
UACW3 January 2005
The Winner's a loser.
Sometimes it's hard to conceive of how anyone could ruin a movie. Totally ruin it that is. How bad would a screenplay have to be? How bad would the directing have to be? The acting? These things have a tendency to correct each other.
Then along comes 'The Winner' and you realise not only how difficult - and how much hard work - it must be to produce a 'good' movie, but how many means one has at one's disposal to completely ruin one.
How about sloppy scene shots where the director forgets to watch he's got photographic continuity, so you end up getting a Francois Truffaut effect - as that's all he's got to work with? If you want to break the 35 degree rule you'd better have a good reason and be consistent. This (sorry) 'jerk' of a team that made this piece of junk have no such ambitions. Artistic integrity? A message to convey? As if they think they're working on art?
Forget it.
Oh - by the way: what is Rebecca doing in this movie? Worst yet, what is she doing producing it? Still have a few things to learn about the industry, Becks old girl?
Sometimes it's hard to conceive of how anyone could ruin a movie. Totally ruin it that is. How bad would a screenplay have to be? How bad would the directing have to be? The acting? These things have a tendency to correct each other.
Then along comes 'The Winner' and you realise not only how difficult - and how much hard work - it must be to produce a 'good' movie, but how many means one has at one's disposal to completely ruin one.
How about sloppy scene shots where the director forgets to watch he's got photographic continuity, so you end up getting a Francois Truffaut effect - as that's all he's got to work with? If you want to break the 35 degree rule you'd better have a good reason and be consistent. This (sorry) 'jerk' of a team that made this piece of junk have no such ambitions. Artistic integrity? A message to convey? As if they think they're working on art?
Forget it.
Oh - by the way: what is Rebecca doing in this movie? Worst yet, what is she doing producing it? Still have a few things to learn about the industry, Becks old girl?
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