Customer Reviews

Owning Mahowny

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Amazing how far a person can dive into the world of gambling addiction. Sad really. Excellent movie!

One of Phillip Seymour Hoffman's earlier movies. Based on a true story of a Canadian banker you steals millions to feed his gambling habit, a habit that is all consuming. Even when he ends up winning enough to pay back all he has stolen he can't stop and ends up losing it all again. This is not a well known movie but it is superbly done with both very dramatic and funny moments.

Like William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman might not fit the usual preconception of cinematic Leading Man. Yet, in 2003, both have the lead in movies about gambling or the gambling industry. For Macy, it was THE COOLER; for Hoffman, it was OWNING MAHOWNY. In their respective films, the character portrayed by each loses his job because he's either embraced or shunned by Lady Luck.

In OWNING MAHOWNY, based on a true story, Hoffman is cast in the title role as the high ranking executive in charge of loans for a Toronto bank. Mahowny also has a gambling addiction, and is indebted to his bookie (Maury Chakin) for slightly over ten grand. To cover his marker, Mahowny creates a fictional loan account, and draws cash from it. Going a step further, he approves cash loans to an existing but unsuspecting customer with a large credit limit, and takes the money on weekend trips to Atlantic City, where he consistently loses at dice, cards, and roulette. By the time he's found out, Mahowny has embezzled over $10 million.

The creators of this film made no attempt whatsoever to render the Mahowny persona attractive to the audience, and it's a wonder he even has a fiancee, Lisa (Minnie Driver). Indeed, Mahowny is so focused on gambling that when the casino manager, Mr. Foss (John Hurt), sends to his suite a complimentary courtesan, who sheds her fur coat to reveal not inconsiderable charms, Mahowny only tells her "You've made a mistake." And he really means it; he only courts Lady Luck. Our hero is so indifferent to anything other than playing the odds that he isn't even somebody with whom you'd consider having a friendly beer. He's single-minded to the point of boorishness.

One can't help but make the comparison between Foss and Shelly Kaplow, the manager of the Shangri-La Casino in THE COOLER. Alec Baldwin received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for the latter role, and should have been, I think, the rightful winner of the award. Both Foss and Kaplow are control freaks. But, while Foss is almost coldly clinical in his manipulation of the high rollers that keep his house profitable, Kaplow is a tempestuous character capable of deep emotions, including a volcanic anger that can erupt into shocking violence. Compared to Kaplow, Foss is almost prissy. Baldwin had the meatier and more complex role, though Hurt's performance is excellent.

Films about the sickness of obsessive gambling are few and far between. I haven't seen one as effective as OWNING MAHOWNY since the 1974 movie THE GAMBLER starring James Caan. Though OWNING MAHOWNY is perhaps an art house film not likely to appeal to a wide audience, it gets its message across superbly. Now, how do I tell the wife that I lost the kitchen remodel fund at the track?

"Some folks believe that everyone has a public life, a private life and a secret life."

These are the opening words of "Owning Mahowny," a fascinating real-life tale of a compulsive gambler whose life falls to pieces when he begins embezzling funds from the bank where he works in order to feed his obsession. Dan Mahowny's "secret life" became public in the early 1980's when he was finally arrested and convicted on charges of bank theft. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who has made a career out of playing sad sack, tormented souls, gives one of his richest performances to date as Mahowny, a mild-mannered man caught in the grip of that compulsive sickness known as gambling addiction. Minnie Driver plays his devoted girlfriend who loves Dan dearly but who cannot bear to stand by and watch helplessly as he slowly but inexorably destroys his life.

If the film were only about Mahowny's gambling problem, it would be no different from countless TV movies made on the same subject. What sets this film apart is the way in which writer Maurice Chauvet (working off the original novel by Gary Stephen Ross) and director Richard Kwietniowski make the background of the story as compelling as the foreground. The astute, observant script focuses as much on the ins and outs of the casino and gambling worlds as it does on the personal travails of its main character. Particularly intriguing is the way in which high rollers are followed and coddled by the casino owners using both high tech equipment like cameras and monitors as well as plain old-fashioned flattery, obsequiousness and deceit. John Hurt, in a brilliant performance, plays a smarmy casino operator in Atlantic City who will stop at nothing to make Mahowny feel at home in his establishment - all for the purpose of having his new found "friend" gamble away a fortune at his tables, of course. The film is, in fact, filled with interesting side characters, including a sympathetic bellhop, who befriends Dan and who tries to convince him to leave the casino he happens to work for; several of the petty loan sharks with whom Dan finds himself inextricably connected; and a whole host of law enforcement officials whose job it is to bring Dan in on grand theft felony charges.

The filmmakers have taken a laid back, subtle approach to their material. They allow the story to develop slowly, offering us the chance to get to know Mahowny and his world at an unhurried, leisurely pace. Since Mahowny is, himself, such a secretive, quiet character, it is appropriate that the film that bears his name should also reflect that quality of muted sadness in its pacing and tone. Towards the end, however, once the authorities begin moving in for the kill and we sense the inevitable grip of Fate tightening around this strangely likable character, the film becomes both highly suspenseful and immensely moving at one and the same time. What's fascinating is that we are always one step ahead of Mahowny in our understanding of what is about to befall him. As in all great tragedies, it is the Cassandra-like burden placed on the audience - that of being able to see the future with no hope of doing anything to prevent it - that gives the film its air of pervasive sadness.

"Owning Mahowny" is a beautifully written, directed and acted film that opens up for us a strange and fascinating world.

I think that Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of the finest and most versatile actors around. And this 2003 film based on a true story certainly proves it. He's cast as Dan Mahowny, an unassuming bank employee in Toronto. Dan has a gambling problem - a big one. And when he is pressed to cover his losses of about $10,000 at the track, he uses his job as assistant manager at the bank to embezzle the money. Then, once he realizes how easy this is, he siphons off some more cash and heads down to Atlantic City. His habit escalates as does his crimes and soon he's carrying bankrolls of $500,000 or more and losing it all in frenzied weekends. His girlfriend, played by Minnie Driver is confused and tries to help him. The casino owner, played by John Hurt, gives him lots of perks and tries to separate him from more and more cash. Dan Mahowny's life becomes increasingly complicated and within a few months he has stolen $10.2 million from his bank.

The story is paced so that it all seems possible. We see the gambler at his trade and way the habit takes hold of him. He plays all the casino games and, even when he might be ahead for a while, will always throw his winnings back on the tables. I found myself feeling sorry for the man and loving him at the same time. His performance comes across as so real and immediate that I just wanted to put my hands on his shoulders and shake him into reality. The sense of place is perfect too. The world of the casinos compared with the world of the quiet bank is an excellent contrast. Through it all he remains an unassuming nice guy and it's easy to see why his girlfriend is willing to stay with him. I really loved this simple story and feel it is one of the most excellent films ever made about compulsive gambling. Highly recommended.

A truly awful movie.

Other than a great performance by Hoffman - he relies more on his physical presence than on the script's ludicrous words to establish his character - this film resembles a run of the mill Canadian M.O.W. Hackneyed script, static direction and - with the exception of Hoffman - brutal acting.

In one scene, a cop establishes his character by complimenting another cop on his choice in donuts. In another cliched scene, a hooker arrives at Mahowny's room wearing nothing but a fur coat.

The cliches mount and all interest in the psychology of Mahowny and his downward spiral disappear.

Save yourself the money and buy "Stung" the book that this disaster was based upon.

Set in Toronto, Canada during the early 1980's OWNING MAHOWNY is an engrossing and interesting character study of Dan Mahowny (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who embezzles money from his job as an assistant bank manager in order to feed his increasing gambling addiction. Although Dan recently received a prestigious promotion and moved in with his girlfriend his full attention is focused on the next bet. He essentially lives a double life as he tries to keep his bookies happy while sneaking trips to the Atlantic City and Las Vegas casinos to win big. What makes Hoffman's performance admirable is that while at the casinos he retains a tunnel vision on the task in front of him. He is never distracted by the various luxuries (i.e. suites, hookers) that the casino manager's extend to him as an added benefit for being a "good customer". Throughout the course of this film there is a melancholy and somber atmosphere that further accentuates the desperation and seriousness of Dan's behavior. One can't help to cheer him on even as it becomes apparent that he is digging himself a giant hole for himself. As his gambling deficits continue to spiral out of control he never loses hope that he will come out on top. OWNING MAHOWNY is a good film that digs deep to portray the low-key actions of one individual who feels a compulsion to gamble money that isn't his at the risk of his career and his girlfriend.

This is a perfect movie for people who love a good story with good characters and don't need to rely on CGI effects or gratuitous violence and sex to enjoy themselves.

Philip Seymour Hoffman gives yet another mesmerizing performance as Dan Mahowny, a gambling addict that is focused only on the hand he is playing. He is not concerned with the free food, free room, or other lush amenities the casino provides him with as he gambles away all his money.

John Hurt is also very impressive as the casino manager who tracks Mahowny's every move and tries to find out as much as he can about this man who is gambling such high stakes.

The story moves at a pretty good place, without taking too much time to build up to the plot.

This is highly recommended for anybody that prefers character-driven movies to the typical Hollywood blockbusters with explosions and car chases every five minutes. Fans of "2 Fast 2 Furious" may be bored to tears.

Philip Seymour Hoffman is truly one of the finest actors of this generation. I've been mesmerized by him ever since I saw him in the otherwise-dismal Twister (yes, Twister), where his was the only standout performance. In the years since, he has turned in many memorable performances including Brant in The Big Lebowski, Allen in Happiness, and Lester Bangs in Almost Famous. In the past year or two his status has risen even more, and he's gotten bigger and juicier parts. He appeared in the big-time Hollywood movie Red Dragon, a brief but memorable part in P.T. Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love, Spike Lee's 25th Hour and his biggest role to date in the underrated Love Liza.

Now, Phil Hoffman gets another juicy role to show off his acting chops in Richard Kwietniowski's Owning Mahowny, a portrait of a compulsive gambler that is based on a true story. Hoffman plays Dan Mahowny, a Canadian bank employee who is so helplessly addicted to gambling that his entire life soon revolves around it. He manages to swindle his bank out of hundreds of thousands of dollars and head to Atlantic City to indulge his passion. In the process he endangers his relationship with his girlfriend Belinda (played by a nearly-unrecognizable Minnie Driver), but begins a new relationship of sorts with casino boss Victor Foss (a suave John Hurt).

Owning Mahowny is similar to other movies of this sort (It sort of reminded me of Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can) and it's simple and straightforward. There are really no surprises to be found, it pretty much stays close to the facts of the true story. It's really not about plot, or even story, however. It's about one man's descent into addiction, gambling in this case, and how he is nearly destroyed by it and how he hurts others by it. The script and direction are unremarkable; it's Hoffman that makes the film worthwhile. His performance is harrowing and mesmerizing. Without speaking a word, he can convey unimaginable sorrow and frustration. In fact, Hoffman is at his best when he's silent. With mere movements he creates memorably pitiable characters. Sort of ironic that one of the most gifted actors of our time establishes himself by playing afflicted losers.

For fans of Philip S. Hoffman, Owning Mahowny is a must-see. His performance carries the film and gives it its weight. For general audiences, the film may be unbearably slow and uninteresting. I can't wait to see what Phil does next.

Let me preface this by saying that I'd read "Stung" years ago and found it incredible.

I was very disappointed with the movie. At the time I read the book, I thought it would make a wonderful movie, and expected one when I read news that this movie, though small in budget, would be made, and done so with a cast including Hoffman and Hurt.

Hoffman is great as always, required to act like a degenerate gambler without being able to say much because of what I believe was a debilitating script. Hoffman adopts a realistic Canadian accent and was made to look the part accurately -- even as accurate as the food in which he liked to indulge.

Hurt, however, is a joke. He's supposed to play some kind of host/casino exec/pit boss -- neither of whom I'm sure he's ever met in his life and neither of whom in the book was enveloped into the machismo of a character he portrays. I think so highly of Hurt as an actor, that I'm inclined to blame the script for any of his scene's shortcomings. Exchanges between Hurt's character and that of Hoffman's could have been majestic (think how great Hurt was in Contact and in Rob Roy), but the script rendered Hurt just ordinary, sometimes over-the-top, and left Hoffman to rely on a more physical presence. The best exchanges are between Hoffman's character and his bookie, but they are few and far between.

What's good? The story itself. The conflicted, chaotic rage you sense in Hoffman at all times. The movie looks good, and the casino shots are realistic when you take into consideration that the movie takes place in the early 80's and the casino is in Atlantic City.

Very little character development is illustrated (at the bank and in the personal home-life of Mahoney for examples), and any insight into the pathological condition exhibited by 'Mahoney' is done mostly through Hoffman's incredible acting. There's little imagery and even less detail with respect to the casino play.

For example: There's a scene in the movie where Mahoney is playing Craps. He's clearly on a great roll. He hits his point, and the whole table goes nuts. He's got a gazillion dollars worth of chips in front of him and then proceeds to roll a whole bunch of crap numbers before re-establishing a new point. He starts losing all his Pass Line bets because of the 2,3's and 12's he's rolling, but you don't see that.. you only hear it because of the dealers' chatter. So, people start leaving the table and the sense of the scene now is that the roll is done for and that Mahoney is going to go hit a horrible losing streak. Anyone who's ever played craps knows that this is utter nonsense. If you haven't played craps, or are not much of a casino patron, you will understand the essence of the scene either way, but be aware that it was a horrible and dishonest sell. Mahoney never made a monster Pass Line bet without hedging it on a prop bet. This wouldn't bother me so much if the movie hadn't been about casino gambling.

In any case, the movie's 'feel' is good, but the writing of the screenplay was just too weak in my view. I wish the movie would have given the audience some credit and made it a full 2 hours so to ensure that as much detail from the book could be adapted.

I also wish the DVD had some features that would have compenstated the viewer and ultimately, the consumer. Final verdict: I'd rent it at best.