Even Money (film)

Infobox Film
name = Even Money

---

image_size =
caption = Theatrical poster
director = Mark Rydell
producer = Henry Boger
writer = Robert Tannen
narrator =
starring = Kim Basinger,
Danny DeVito,
Kelsey Grammer,
Nick Cannon,
Ray Liotta,
Forest Whitaker,
Carla Gugino
Jay Mohr
music = Dave Grusin
cinematography = Robbie Greenberg
editing = Hughes Winborne
distributor = Yari Film Group
released = flagicon|U.S. May 18, 2007
runtime =
country = United States
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0404163

"Even Money" is a crime film about three strangers who become addicted to gambling, and how their lives come to be increasingly intertwined. The film touches on the private lives of those who, in one way or another, ultimately hang their hopes (and savings) on the outcome of a college basketball game. There are a number of sub-plots, such as the angst that a novelist feels as she struggles to write her follow-up book, and the dreams of a former stage magician, as he struggles in his own way to regain his glory. The film was directed by Mark Rydell, and stars Forest Whitaker, Nick Cannon, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, Kelsey Grammer, Carla Gugino and Ray Liotta. It was released on May 18, 2007 in theaters.

Plot

Carolyn Carver (Basinger) is an author whose husband and daughter believe she is working on a new book, when in fact she is gambling away their life savings. She is befriended by Walter (DeVito), a has-been magician with a gambling habit who entertains casino guests for tips. Clyde Snow (Whitaker) is deeply in debt to gamblers, to the extent that he must ask his younger brother (Cannon), a college basketball star, to shave points at games.

The violent and verbally abusive Victor (Tim Roth) is a criminal who may or may not be the front for Ivan, a mob boss no one actually has seen. A crippled detective (Grammer) is investigating a murder that Victor's thugs no doubt committed, possibly on Ivan's orders.

Victor also must deal with Augie (Mohr), who would like to cut in on his bookmaking business. Augie is secretly wearing a wire for the detective, looking to get an incrimidating statement from Victor on tape.

Carolyn's husband (Liotta) is upset with her constant absences and ultimately catches her gambling. He wants a divorce. Walter gets a tip from Victor that a basketball game is fixed. He decides to wager everything he owns on the outcome, and persuades Carolyn to do the same.

Unbeknownst to them, Clyde has told his brother that his debt is paid off, meaning there is no need to lose the game on purpose. It is not true. Clyde's life has been threatened by Victor if this game goes wrong.

Victor arranges for Augie to be killed. He attends the basketball game in person. Clyde's brother hits a game-winning shot, which makes Clyde proud but places his life in imminent danger. He leaves the arena and is gunned down by Victor's men on the road.

The game's outcome devastates Carolyn, who has lost everything, including her family. Walter goes to Victor's house to kill him. The detective witnesses this but, sympathetically, lets Walter go free.

In a final twist, it turns out that Ivan is very real, and that the seemingly honorable detective works for him.

External links