- Release Date: August 19, 2008
- Publisher: MGM
- Price: $19.99 on Amazon.com
- Rating: PG-13
- Run Time: 86 minutes
- Bonus Features: “PokerStars Presents: Winning Big at Texas Hold ‘Em with Isabelle Mercier and Greg Raymer” Featurette
- Genre: Poker
- Buy It on Amazon.com
Unsurprisingly, “Deal” is a film about poker. Poker prodigy Alex (Bret Harrison) catches poker legend Tommy’s (Burt Reynolds) attention during a televised tournament. Tommy has given up on gambling because he doesn’t want to lose his wife. However, he takes Alex under his wing and teaches him how to become a better poker player. After Alex rises the ranks of the poker world, both Alex and Tommy wind up in a multi-million dollar poker tournament.
“Deal” is obviously meant for poker fans. If you aren’t a fan of the game, you probably won’t enjoy the film. I am a casual poker fan and while I definitely wouldn’t call the film great, I also didn’t wish I was watching something else. The plot is obviously nothing new when it comes to the poker genre but thanks to very good acting, it works. Burt Reynolds always gives a good performance and I have always like Bret Harrison from his work on “The Loop” to his current series “Reaper.” Nobody else gets much airtime other than Shannen Doherty, who is part of a pointless subplot, and some poker stars who make some cameos.
Video and audio quality are both good but the extras are a bit disapointing. The only feature is “PokerStars Presents: Winning Big at Texas Hold ‘Em with Isabelle Mercier and Greg Raymer.” While this is a nice feature for amateur poker players, most people who will watch this film probably already know all the information presented.
If you aren’t into poker I wouldn’t bother with “Deal.” Poker fans should definitely check it out as long as they keep their expectations low. There is nothing original in the film but there is also nothing wrong with it. “Deal” is just plain average.
