‘Win Win’ is a win win

Thomas McCarthy knows how to bring the cinematic good stuff. The actor-turned-writer-and-director has made three movies, and each one is a memorable gem. The Station Agent, with Peter Dinklage and Michelle Williams was bliss (especially for this fellow New Jerseyan), and his follow-up, The Visitor, perfectly captured Richard Jenkins’ brilliant acting chops.

Now comes Win Win, and this writer-director continues his domineering winning streak. The dramedy, once again set in New Jersey, stars Paul Giamatti as Mike Flaherty, a struggling lawyer and volunteer wrestling coach. He’s a good husband and caring father, but he’s fallen on hard times with his private practice and suffers from a life-changing anxiety attack when running with his best friend, Terry (a very funny Bobby Cannavale, who also appeared in The Station Agent).

Opportunity abounds when one of Mike’s elderly clients, Leo (Rocky’s Burt Young), finds himself in need of a guardian. Deciding to step in and collect the lucrative guardian fee, Mike dedicates himself to Leo’s well-being.

Well, sort of.

The old man has enough money to end his days in dignity at the house he loves. Mike, instead, decides to lie to Leo and send him to an assisted-living home. Now the lawyer who can’t pay the bills gets to collect the monthly stipend and have few worries as a caretaker.

The whole deal falls apart when Kyle (Alex Shaffer), Leo’s grandson, arrives on Mike’s doorstep unexpectedly looking for some help. With his simple plan spiraling out of control, Mike finds himself trapped in a corner.

Win Win is so entertaining because it’s the opposite of typical. It deals with real people and real situations, both of which have become rarities in Hollywood. When these characters make choices, there are ramifications. They can’t go about their business stealing money from old men or entering out-of-district students into the local high school (this comes up when Mike realizes Kyle is a natural wrestler). Instead, they need to encounter the legal difficulties, the bureacratic nightmares and the familial strife. In essence, reality continues knock on the front door.

The acting is top-notch, and, as usual, Giamatti is marvelously entrancing. He just knows how to be. He makes it look so effortless, as if Mike Flaherty is a real guy with real problems. This isn’t acting; it’s living.

Amy Ryan turns in a nice performance as his wife, and Young is very good as Leo. Cannavale has fun with the lightest character of the bunch. Surprisingly, Shaffer is skillful as the young punk with an incredible talent. Much like Giamatti, he simply lives his part.

McCarthy writes dialogue that obviously comes from his heart. He is seemingly fascinated with ordinary circumstances that catapult private lives into greater spheres. He did this with The Station Agent, which still remains his best film, and he does this with Win Win.

After watching a McCarthy film, one feels better about the human condition, knowing that there are still good people in the world — good people who will never fail to make poor choices.

And, of course, learn from them.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Win Win

• 2011

• Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy; based on a story by McCarthy and Joe Tiboni

• Starring Paul Giammati, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Burt Young and Alex Shaffer

• Running time: 106 minutes

• Rated R for language

• Rating: