Win Some Lose Some

Proof as to why Paul Giamatti is not a super star…yet.
By Morgan P Salvo

Paul Giamatti will never be a sex symbol or even a super star… but he should be. Giamatti can run the gamut of emotions and is equally good in serious roles as comedic. He steals every scene he’s ever in, taking on weirder, less mainstream roles, having charisma to spare. But face it, Giamatti with his bug eyes and ever widening girth is a born character actor. And even though he might get the girl and even have sex, he is just not sexy.
In Win Win balding and dumpy Giamatti portrays a suburban good guy, honest lawyer and high school wrestling coach with financial troubles who finds the perfect loophole by acting as the legal caretaker of an elderly client. His plan hits a wall and the situation spins out of his control when his client's troubled grandson arrives on the scene.
Win Win feels like actor/director Tom McCarthy’s first movie instead of his third. His first two movies, The Station Agent and The Visitor were “feel good” movies that actually made me feel good, but his theme of “sharply defined personalities whose lives are interrupted by strangers” is running thin.
Win’s an ensemble piece with characters allowed equal shots at our attention, their subtle underplaying yanking out higher emotions. The standout cast includes Amy Ryan as supportive wife, best friend motor-mouth Bobby Cannavale and old coot Burt Young. The highlight is newcomer Alex Shaffer as the troubled teen wrestling “ringer” who brings to mind Sean Penn’s Specoli without the humorous, stoner edge.
Giamatti gives us hope and heart in every performance, from the relatable loser in Sideways and American Splendor to the wacked out singer in Duets and Andy Kauffman’s best friend in Man in the Moon. His nice guy quality is used to the hilt in Win Win. But the underlying explosive character is what we are waiting for. The rage that bellows from Giamatti comes so rarely, it’s just plain fun to see him yell. We need to see him explode more - what has he got to lose? He’ll never be a sex symbol because face it, who wants to see him naked? But I’d kind of like to see a raging, drooling Giamatti maniac bursting at the seams for two whole hours. Who knows? That might be a turn on for some.
Win’s last act turns heavy and is steeped in seriousness, almost defying the rest of the film yet the simple and compelling performances are worth the price of admission. But I think we deserved a decent Giamatti sex scene to help him on the road to super stardom. It’d be a win-win situation right?

Win Win
Starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Alex Shaffer, Burt Young
Directed by Tom McCarthy
Rated PG-13
3 stars