Ponies (2011) Reviews

• OK and stars keep it more then watchable but hops the track round the halfway point

  mbs2012-08-06

  I liked the film up to a point---that point being well i don't wanna give any spoilers away but i'll just say the 3 main characters who up till the hour or so mark have been reasonably good company start to turn on each other in such a way that leaves a very unpleasant aftertaste---i suppose that might of been the point in this semi Cassavettes like film about 3 guys hanging around killing a day at an OTB --2 of whom are friends who take it upon themselves to show a new and somewhat naive cab driver the ropes and finer points of racetrack betting. The 3 men are pretty good company--the lead is quite an embittered gambler who literally can't help himself from placing the bets---and despite his best efforts to insult and repel everyone around him, (and i mean everyone) you can kind of see why Kevin Corrigan's Venezuelan (???) fry cook keeps him company as the two of em gamble together. (it helps that i know someone more or less like the lead character, and while their abrasive nature can be very very off putting, there's a certain zest and quick wittiness there that keeps you from abandoning them altogether) John Ventiligmati (Sp???) is it should be said quite good in the lead, and the actor who plays the cab driver who gets caught up in the flush of betting is pretty good too---so why the somewhat low rating? The film never feels like it goes anywhere---don't get me wrong, the atmosphere is top notch, and the actors are also top notch but i feel like there could've been a lot more to the story---i feel like the attempts to flesh out the character's back story were a good start but there should've been more meat to pick at here so to speak. I mean i appreciate the effort to make a good betting movie here but it doesn't quite come off especially if you compare it to the much more infectious Richard Dreyfuss 80's film "Let It Ride" which at least let you experience the rush and complete excitement that his gambler felt when placing his bets. This film honestly its all right enough for a watch should you randomly stumble across it on a movie cable channel but to pay money for it specifically---not so much. (but props to Nick Sandow a good underrated actor making his directing debut here)

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