Deal – DVD Review

By June L. Sep 8, 2008, 13:44 GMT

Deal yourself in for high-speed thrills and high-stakes poker action in this triumphant tale of cards and courage starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Shannon Elizabeth. A retired gambler (Reynolds) itching to get back in the game teams up with a hotshot college senior (Harrison) to take the poker world by storm. But a Vegas beauty (Elizabeth) complicates the plan, and soon the teacher and student find themselves in a ...more

Gambling is an obsession with some, a hobby with others and an interest for many.  The rise of tournaments and the television demonstrations of carefully honed poker skills have made celebrities out of some of the best players. 

Deal is the story of two poker players one old, one young for whom the game has more meaning than just a test of luck and skill. 

Who knew a movie about playing cards could be so exciting?  Even if you don’t know anything about the game, the emotions and back story for the characters will have you tense by tournament time. 

And the rules of the poker being played are explained early on, so with a little concentration, the viewer is not left out of any of the action.  These people are deadly serious about their poker game, but not to the point of the old westerns where guns are pulled or honesty questioned at the table. 

This is an elite group of the top players and there is a code of ethics involved that has people congratulating the winners on a good hand.  Nice to see a sportsmanship attitude displayed in the game, but we do learn that a few tricks are often employed beforehand to unbalance a player’s concentration.

Burt Reynolds is Tom, a legendary poker player who hasn’t touched a professional game in twenty years.  Life is costing more than the retirement money he put aside, and so he takes on the training of a talented youngster Alex (Bret Harrison.)  This young man knows that he has an affinity for poker and is willing to learn from the expert to hone his game and take it to a professional level. 

It is an interesting story, combining the elements of youthful passion with experienced wisdom and centering the action on the game of poker.  Life lessons can be read into the scenes.  Alex is battling with his parents, particularly his dad who wants him to settle down into a law clerkship to make money for law school.

Tom wants to enjoy his retirement years traveling with his wife, but economic downturns have reduced their money to less than adequate for their lives.  Each steps away from the limiting influences of family expectations, and makes a bid to succeed from the skills in which he firmly believes he possesses.

Deal is presented on single disc in widescreen format.  The running time is 86 minutes, and is available in English, Spanish or French audio, with English or Spanish subtitles.  The feature is rated PG-13.  The special feature included on the disc is a featurette with almost a tutorial feeling called PokerStars Presents” Winning Big at Texas Hold ‘em with Isabelle Mercier and Greg Raymer. 

These two professionals unravel some of the mysteries of the game and offer tips and skills for those interested in learning or improving.  It is good to see Burt Reynolds again as such a believable and well defined character.

Deal is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD database for more information.