this be by far probably the bad film al pacino could have star in . the movie have no real plot . it kind of careen into 24 different direction . it seem that the target audience for this film be people from gambler anonymous . mat mcconaughey character be not believable enough to be pacino protégé . so he win a few bet for some degenerate client a a sideline to a shitty job record on a 900 service . do that automatically suppose to convince an audience of his skill . it be just plain stupid to think of . the trailer do promise to show u how he make his sure shot pick but after go through the whole film i have yet to see what skill if any he ever have . if you want skill try look at robert de niro character in casino now that be showmanship . at some point in the film and mat character pick his win bet at a flip of a coin . anybody could do that . al pacino seem to talk a lot and i mean blabber mouth in your face dialog . i think that style start with scent of a woman and work for him because he finally win an oscar but now i think it just irritating . he seem to be always sermonize . he do do a mean act of portray a man have unstable angina ( that an impending heart attack ) it typically reminiscent of his act in godather part 3 which he play the aging and diabetic mafia don corleone but other than that pacino talent be waste on this film . rene russo be just plain eye candy for this film . she keep in shape and show it off in the tight clothes she wear throughout . this film be plain crap . do not waste your money on it . it be much bad than the gamble pick of mat character in the film .