Obstensibly about gambling addiction, this film is in fact a portrait of the addictive personality. Caan's character (Axel Freed) represents a complex individual who is a study in contadictions. His chaotic spiral into the depths of his addiction both mirrors and contrasts with the insightful portaits of his classroom lectures. His societal role as gifted college professor and child of a nouveau-riche immigrant family contradicts a wholey individualistic and reckless lifestyle in constant search for the emotional rush of living on the edge. This, his true addiction, is revealed at the end of the film when his gambling "career" has seemingly ended. A rare sub-commentary contrasts the humanly personal sides of Axel's mob associates with their violent career personas, bringing to mind the movie Mean Streets (with the youthful pairing of Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro). Indeed, the movie may suffer from attempting to deal with these general themes on too many levels.

A few graphic scenes and raw emotionalism give this film an edge that is appropriate to its themes. Some viewers may be put off by racial stereotypes stemming from this era of blaxploitation. Otherwise, acting and direction are adequate to the task, although characters are somewhat one dimensional; and the plot is thought provoking, if not always engaging.

For $20,000.00 they break your legs. Axel Freed owes $44,000." I was captivated by the tag line of this lost jewell of the '70's, which stands alongside Karl Reisz' other forgotten masterwork of the decade (WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN?). James Caan radiates a brilliant character study of a degenerate gambler hellbent on self destruction, not only at the tables and back rooms, but in life. He throws away his birth rite to riches, his family, a beauty (Lauren Hutton in her first significant screen role). It's a road well traveled by the lost and Caan has it mastered. Great screenplay by James Toback, written immediately prior to his own lost marvel of the 1970's, FINGERS (1979).

A neglected and underrated masterpiece, presenting one of the most convincing and thorough psychological studies in all cinema. James Caan, in what may well be his best-ever performance, portrays a compulsive gambler with an unusually acute awareness of his own motivations. The 'back story', from which we learn how his family background helps feed his obsession, is subtly and convincingly portrayed. The whole is a tragedy, laced with grim humor.

The score uses Mahler's music to great effect, the direction is tight and closely focused throughout and the final scene can only be described as perfection.

An excellent look at the effects of serious gambling addiction. Good plot- How a man with every reason in the world to not be involved in the shady world of gambling (fulfilling profession, good family, the intelligence and clarity to know exactly what's happening to him) lets it dominate him. Makes you wonder how many people across from you at the table in Vegas or the Indian reservation are also on the slippery slope. One complaint: Nobody doubles down with 18, expecting to get a 3 to beat the dealer's supposed 20, not even a reckless maniac. Observation: Basketball talent has improved considerably since the 70s! However the Manhattan court scenes with afros were great!

An excellent, well-acted, harrowing film that closely reflects the stark reality of a problem gambler. Most gambling films make allusions to the dark side, but this film is explicit: you hear the wheels in his mind click, watch questionable calls unfold, followed by the crushing debt and threats of torture and mayhem that accompany it. You'll see and hear some of that violence too. This is much closer to how it is, which makes it a hard film to truly enjoy, but after it's over, you'll be impressed by how bold these filmmakers were.