Loosely adapted to the modern day big screen comes Dostoevsky's personally reflective novel of the same name. Fresh off his stint in The Godfather is James Caan as Axel Freed, a man who can ill afford to lose...much less win. Blessed with an upper-class upbringing, solid teaching job, and serious girlfriend; Freed is none the less a man plunging to his emotional and monetary depths near everyday through various chance endeavors. For every 'win', he suffers countless losses at the expense of money and credibility until ultimately his addiction lands him at the mercy of mafia heavyweights. His life now on the line he must coerce others into misdeeds he himself would shun.Caan was the right man at the right time for this rather overlooked film acutely portraying one man's abuse of an age-old vice. Freed deserves no sympathy and gets none as his countless efforts to confront the 'disease' fail miserably deepening his depravity, throwing him at the feet of others, and further isolating those who love him. The Gambler has a very raw, edgy 1970's New York City feel similar to movies like Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Mean Streets, or Dog Day Afternoon. (DVD GAMBLER)
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