Film review: Win Win

NO one can do down-and-out-and-up-to-something in a movie better than the great Paul Giamatti.

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NO one can do down-and-out-and-up-to-something in a movie better than the great Paul Giamatti.

The perpetually sly and rumpled star of Sideways and Barney's Version is in fine form in Win Win, a graceful light comedy with a few well-placed smudges of serious drama.

Giamatti plays Mike Flaherty, a small-time, small-town lawyer running out of time and money fast.

With a young family to provide for, some quick thinking is needed. Or perhaps, no thinking at all.

One day in court, Mike finds himself volunteering to become the guardian of Leo (Burt Young), an elderly local in the first stages of dementia.

Why? So he can secretly claim the commission from the administration of Leo's estate, a stipend that effectively doubles Mike's weekly salary.

In an odd twist, Mike and his wife (Amy Ryan) are also forced to take in Leo's runaway grandson Kyle (Alex Shaffer).

As luck would have it, Kyle is a gifted wrestler. And wouldn't you know it, Mike is a not-so-gifted amateur wrestling coach?

Suddenly, life is looking good for Flaherty. With the bucks rolling in and his young team on a roll, what could possibly go wrong? The answer of course, is everything.

The rot sets in once Leo's rightful heir - Kyle's drug-addicted absentee mother (Melanie Lynskey) - takes an interest in the welfare of her father.

Win Win is the work of US writer-director Thomas McCarthy, a shrewd operator whose films (such as the 2007 gem The Visitor) all trade in a wistful take on the ups and downs of everyday life.

With Giamatti in complete control from the opening scenes, there is no chance of Win Win losing your full attention at any juncture.

VISIT winwinmovie.com

Win Win (M)
Director: Thomas McCarthy (The Visitor)
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Alex Shaffer, Amy Ryan, Burt Young, Melanie Lynskey, Jeffrey Tambor
3.5
A can't-lose proposition