Oscar Isaac salvages boring “The Card Counter”
By Nolan Cleary, Editor-In-Chief
“The Card Counter,” directed by Paul Schrader is a 2021 crime drama. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Willem Tell, an American service member and ex-con who gets released from prison for a mysterious crime.
Tell, who gains a fascination with card games, befriends La Linda, played by Tiffany Haddish, who organizes card games, and Cirk, a young man interested in cyber security, portrayed in the film by Tye Sheridan.
Schrader gained a reputation for making movies with grit and edge after writing the screenplay for “Taxi Driver,” a film often credited with launching the career of Martin Scorsese. Schrader made a comeback in 2018 when he directed the hauntingly underrated “First Reformed.” “The Card Counter” feels like a forced attempt from an aging director.
While Schrader has previously written compelling dramas, successfully tackling themes of political extremism, his latest endeavor feels corny, generic and worse, predictable.
The storyline behind “The Card Counter” feels overly familiar with Issac’s character having to face the sins of his past without devolving into his old ways. The film reeks of every cheesy revenge thriller you can think of.
Tiffany Haddish breaks out of her usual raunchy comedy mold, taking on the role of Issac’s love interest. Her confused presence seems largely out of place, as she fails to sell viewers on her confused presence in what is supposed to be a thoughtful drama.
Tye Sheridan’s role feels awkward and out of place, with his storyline feeling completely by the books. What does work about “The Card Counter” is Oscar Issac’s performance. Issac does his best to try and sell us on the arc of our troubled protagonist with a dark past.
His performance is compelling, dark and engaging, and prevents “The Card Counter” from being a total dud. Still, even his best efforts aren’t enough to save the film.
Paul Schrader’s traditional tricks are at play, with camera wide shots making the perspective feel unique, and his traditional style does often shine in key places. Deeper themes of guilt and moral accountability are at play, but those themes are muddled by its use of goofy, overrated tropes.
Some of the visuals are glamorous, as one could expect from a director of this caliber, but it just never feels like it’s able to sell its audience on its unengaging plot.
The musical score feels unmemorable, dull and oftentimes obnoxious. Sure, Schrader’s attempts to craft a perfect cat and mouse chase are admirable, but everything feels so undercooked. Key elements of the film just feel fully underdeveloped.
Overall, “The Card Counter” lacks innovation, grit and real hard-hitting drama. Nothing feels special, nothing feels out of the box. Every beat feels so utterly expected, so utterly unoriginal. Its journey from point A to point B goes without any twists, any surprises, like a magician who shows you the rabbit going into the hat before he performs the magic trick. Although it’s well-intentioned and presents interesting ideas, “The Card Counter” feels soulless in every sense.