Rounders

Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) is a law student who has given up his true talent (and love), gambling, when he loses all of his money to Teddy KGB (John Malkovich in a hilarious role). Months later, when his friend Worm (Edward Norton) gets out of jail and is on a strict deadline to repay a $15,000 debt to Teddy, he must decide whether or not to help his friend, threatening his student status and relationship with his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol). Tightly written, beautifully photographed by the brilliant Jean-Yves Escoffier, and well-played all across the board (particularly by Norton), this is a work of slick, enjoyable entertainment.