Jim Bennett is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank, a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future. As his relationship with a student deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance…
“The Gambler" is based on the terrific lowdown and gritty 1974 movie of the same title starring James Caan. The 2015 version is director by Englishman Rupert Wyatt, and stars Mark Wahlberg in the lead role, alongside Michael Kenneth Williams, Jessica Lange, and John Goodman.
It is released in UK cinemas this Friday. Watch the trailer for the movie below.