loading...
Owning Mahowny
2003
Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers another staggering performance in Richard Kwietniowski's follow-up to LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND. Dan Mahowney (Hoffman) is a well-respected assistant bank manager with a pretty fiancee, Belinda (Minnie Driver). But Dan also happens to be a compulsive gambler. One day, he steals $10,000 from .. Read more
| Starring | Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Maury Chaykin, John Hurt |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Kwietniowski |
| Genres | Drama |
loading...
Owning Mahowny
Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers another staggering performance in Richard Kwietniowski's follow-up to LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND. Dan Mahowney (Hoffman) is a well-respected assistant bank manager with a pretty fiancee, Belinda (Minnie Driver). But Dan also happens to be a compulsive gambler. One day, he steals $10,000 from the bank in order to feed his addiction. From there, the embezzling only gets worse. Obsessed with gambling for gambling's sake, Dan matches his even bigger losses with even bigger bets. Soon, he's flying to Atlantic City at every opportunity, blowing hundreds of thousands of dollars at a casino run by the shifty Victor Foss (John Hurt). Slowly, the Toronto police begin to catch on to Dan, although they have no idea just how guilty he is. When they finally set a trap to catch Dan, he's in the process of winning back all the money he has stolen. But as is the case with addicts, they never know when to stop, and Dan is no exception. Based on a true story, Kwietniowski's film presents gambling addiction with a matter-of-factness and lack of glamour that can be attributed to Dan Mahowney himself. Hoffman's portrayal of the unassuming criminal is another priceless gem.
| Starring | Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, Maury Chaykin, John Hurt, Sonja Smits |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Kwietniowski |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 40 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 20 Feb 2004 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews
View all -
This biographical drama bears more than a passing resemblance to the Nick Leeson story told in 1998's Rogue Trader. Not just because they're both based on real life fraud cases, but because they turn cracking tales into movie bores. As 1980s Canadian bank manager and gambling addict Dan Mahowny, Philip Seymour Hoffman works hard to convince, but his performance suffers under weak direction and a tedious script. The film is too bogged down with the mechanics of his multi-million dollar theft to offer any genuine insights into his motivations and emotions, while there's no sense of tension or drama despite the massive stakes. An almost unrecognisable Minnie Driver is underused as Mahowny's drippy girlfriend, but the real scandal is John Hurt's poor turn as an Atlantic City casino boss.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
13 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Entertaining Little Indie
Philip Seymour Hoffman, at last ,gets a leading role in this entertaining little black comedy, instead of his usual role of supporting actor. And he is, as always, superb as a bank manager who is addicted to gambling and runs up enormous debts , running into millions.And of course the only way to pay them off and gamble more is by robbing his own bank. Great stuff, but it's all carried by Hoffman, without him the film would grind slowly to its inevitable end. John Hurt puts on some sort of accent as a Casino boss and Minnie Driver is, well , Minnie Driver, but watch this just to see Hoffman.
-
Most recent members' review
View all -
13 out of 16 people found this review helpful
Entertaining Little Indie
Philip Seymour Hoffman, at last ,gets a leading role in this entertaining little black comedy, instead of his usual role of supporting actor. And he is, as always, superb as a bank manager who is addicted to gambling and runs up enormous debts , running into millions.And of course the only way to pay them off and gamble more is by robbing his own bank. Great stuff, but it's all carried by Hoffman, without him the film would grind slowly to its inevitable end. John Hurt puts on some sort of accent as a Casino boss and Minnie Driver is, well , Minnie Driver, but watch this just to see Hoffman.
-
News and features
View all
The New Hoffman (PS We Love You)
- 09 Jan 2008
It's a quirk of the movie business - and of the industry's insistence that films of any substance can only be released in the winter Oscar period - that actors increasingly seem to come up with not one but a couple of significant performances within the space of weeks. This year, Cate Blanchett has a shot at Academy Award nominations for Best Actress as Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Supporting Actress for her Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. Tommy Lee Jones also has a double deal, with his grave... Read more
-
More like this
View all
Related user collection
favourite films (70)
80% from 1 member
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
- Owning Mahowny
- DVD: £4.93
Free Delivery - RRP £12.79 (you save: 61%)
Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers another staggering performance in Richard Kwietniowski's follow-up to LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND. Dan Mahowney (Hoffman) is a well-respected assistant bank manager ... -