Ballad of a Small Player Movie Review

Edward Berger, known for “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Conclave,” gives you a movie, adapted from the novel by Lawrence Osborne, that you’ll be happy was made.
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It’s about gambling addiction and stars Colin Farrell. It’s good to see him in the role. If it weren’t for its cheesy, predictable ending, I’d have scored this higher. That was disappointing because I haven’t seen a movie with this subject matter, that was this affecting in a while.

Director Edward Berger could have given it a proper send-off, but we don’t get everything we want. We did get a nice psychological thriller, not a bad thing in my opinion. I know you’re not here for opinion, but I’d like to say anyway that I rather enjoyed myself watching what Farrell’s Lord Doyle, as he refers to himself, went through here, especially since it was so beautifully shot. It was a feast for the eyes, it was. The acting, by everyone, make it a good Netflix streaming watch for you… today. If not, fit it in before next week. Be part of the first audience talking about it.

Doyle is a “high roller on a slippery slope.” He has gambling debts everywhere but can’t stop placing another bet. When we meet him, he’s waking up in a casino bed. The word “Fuck” plunges from his mouth. It must not have been a good night at the tables. He owes over three-hundred thousand to this hotel and thousands all over town… and elsewhere. He meets Dao Ming (Fala Chen) at a smaller casino; one he can get a little bit of credit so he can make it through another night. After playing, they see a man’s body on top of a car. The debt he has incurred from his gambling got to him and he leapt to his death. His wife is angry at Dao Ming for giving him credit. She blames herself for his death. Doyle reaches out to her. They both need a friend. Or should he jump? Things look about as good for him as it did for this poor man.

She tells him that the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts is starting. You must burn offerings to the dead. They have become somewhat close, but they should both leave now and not follow one another. Spoiler: This should be remembered. Pay attention to all of this scene, as a matter of fact. He falls asleep on a bench at the beach. She is nowhere to be found, but he sees the city from a new vantage point. One not of a gambler, but of a person not on the run. She left behind a number to something. He doesn’t know what, but he now has a reason to be a better man.

His friend Mr. Lippett (Alex Jennings) owes him money. The scene where the two square off is incredible. They speak of the death of a gambler. And about whether they go to heaven or the other place. It isn’t long before Doyle thinks about the afterlife. Would it be better than losing all the time when it feels as if a win is about to come? His habit is closing in on his heart, which can’t stand this life much longer. He tries his best to look the part, but he’s a hopeless fraud and a failure. Not even his leather gloves and posh suit will help others see through his losing streak.

Doyle sees Dao Ming again. The sound in this scene is very memorable. The creaking of her boat will come up again and again the rest of the film. It’s marvelous. She tells him a story of how her mother never forgave her for taking money from her parents to live a better life. She believes that the Buddhist hell, the Realm of the Hungry Ghost, is for people driven by greed. He asks her where they’re headed. He thinks it would take a miracle to save him. Well, maybe, after just one more game. I can’t tell you more except don’t listen to people running this down. It’s colorful, with glorious cinematography and sound. The chosen locations —real casinos in Macao —are beautiful. Bad ending, but no one can be perfect.