 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Win Win
- Review Date: March 15, 2011
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Mature dramedy triumphs with grace and wisdom.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this excellent indie dramedy offers lots of wisdom, examining characters caught at the crossroads of mid-life through clear lenses that are refreshingly unburdened by clichés. Yes, there’s plenty of swearing ("f--k," "s--t," etc.) and some mature themes -- including a mother's drug addiction, which sends her teenage boy adrift, hungering for structure and safety. But there are also plenty of stand-up characters who, despite their flaws, make you believe in a world of hope and optimism.
What's the story?
Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) is a good guy. A lawyer with a struggling practice, he’s intent on supporting his wife (Amy Ryan) and kids, encouraging the forlorn high school wrestlers (they don't win) that he coaches after work, listening to his friend Terry (Bobby Cannavale) ride the emotional roller coaster of his recent divorce, and protecting the interests of his too-few clients. Still, money’s been tight, so when a paid opportunity to be the guardian of Leo (Burt Young) -- a retiree in early stages of dementia -- presents itself, Mike steps into the role. He thinks it ought to be fairly simple: He’ll take the money but put Leo into a home, where he’ll be cared for properly -- never mind that Leo isn’t too keen on the idea. Then one day, Leo’s teenage grandson, Kyle (Alex Shaffer), shows up on his grandpa’s doorstep, eager to get away from his drug-addicted mother. And he’s a champion wrestler, too. Kyle's appearance is a complication that adds to the list of responsibilities weighing heavily on Mike’s already weary shoulders.
Is it any good?
Director Tom McCarthy knows exactly what to say and how to say it. WIN WIN is confidently told, and every moment informs another to come. Mike looks like he’s running strong in the first sequence, and we think all is well -- clearly, this is a self-improving man. But soon enough we see him gasping in the dust of surer-footed sprinters. At work, the boiler tolls like a doomsday bell. All is not well. The men in this movie are struggling -- and so are the women. And though their struggles are familiar (the economy, divorce, work boredom), the way they struggle is delightfully unexpected.
And that's not just because Giamatti plays bereft without any cliches and Ryan does an excellent job as a supportive wife without the usual treacle; the rest of the cast is pretty awesome, too. At many junctures, Win Win could have taken a losing (or boring) turn, but it just refuses to. A lesser movie would have had Mike take his scheme further into slapsticky territory, or the troubled Kyle hook up with a classmate who brings formulaic joy to his life, or Terry bed Mike’s secretary as a way to fish himself out of his post-separation disquiet. But leave that to the amateurs and unimaginative.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's messages. What do you take away from watching?
Are the characters in the movie intended to be role models? What do they learn over the course of the story?
What does the movie say about male friendships? About marriage?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I have no idea why this movie is rated R. No violence, no sex, just "heartfelt drama," (as my son said), meaningful insight into the struggles of real people, and some great mature (not sexual) humor that kids- especially boys- can get. This is just the kind of message I want my son exposed to (as opposed to the degredation and meaninglessness I typically find in movies.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Inspiring and unexpected
Pretty good movie. The only reason it was rated R was because of the language it used, and it wasn't very violent at all, really. Not what you'd expect from this kind of movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One Of the year's very best. Fantastic.
4.5/5
Paul Giamatti headlines writer/director Tom McCarthy's comedy drama centering on a beleaguered attorney and part-time wrestling coach who schemes to keep his practice from going under by acting as the legal caretaker of an elderly client. Mike Flaherty (Giamatti) thinks he has discovered the perfect loophole to keep his practice in business. But his brilliant plan hits an unexpected hitch when his client's troubled grandson shows up looking for a place to stay. With his home life in turmoil and both of his careers in jeopardy, Mike quickly realizes that he'll have to get creative in order to find a way out of his current predicament.
ok seriously, i am now a full on Paul Giamatti's Fan, i really like his choice of movies. well this is an indie movie, i really like indie movies. and it is a very good one. seeing it getting very good reviews i became quite curious to watch this movie and i saw it today and wow what a movie it was, truly a really touch heartwarming movie with a bit of humor and sports.
as i started watching this movie, i wasn't sure i gonna like it but it just grew on me and i started to like it very much. i must say this movie will stay with me for as long as i remember. one of the best movies of this year. it is not much slow paced movie as people think.
Screenplay is the best quality of this movie and i wish it gets a Nomination for it in Oscars really well written. superbly written actually. story is different and good about Mike who is a lawyer and a part time wrestling coach and has shown in a different way unlike any other cliched Hollywood lawyer figure. story is really different. good cinematography, good editing. nice score to it. Direction is very good too by the actor Tom McCarthy who directed The Visitor.
Starring Paul Giamatti who performed really well as always, Alex Shaffer as Kyle and Bobby Cannavale as Terry were good supporting cast. other actors are Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor, Melanie Lynskey , Burt Young , Margo Martindale , David Thompson. good performances.
this is such an perfect movie with climax that gets really emotional but it has some comedy thrown here and there that really fits in. its heart touching heart warming movie. Win Win is a winner all the way, two thumbs up. Must Watch for Indie fans.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Nice and interesting
Some famous industry products being used by the characters.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Language is only problem: great movie!
This movie had really good messages and there were some funny parts. It shouldn't be rated R because there is only language to worry about. A little violence, wrestling, a teenager shoving an adult, and teenager has a black eye presumably by the mother's boyfriend. Great movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Amazing
I saw Win Win earlier this year and it was an incredible movie. Tremendously acted. However, there is a lot of language and some emotional issues, although, there really isn't anything else to worry about.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
If your kid has ridden the bus to middle school they've heard this word.
I have no problem with my 12 year old watching this movie. The violence isn't overly graphic. The language while coarse, isn't used abusively. Nothing blows up, there are no weapons or injury. The adult in this movie makes a bad decision and shows remorse. There is an adult who abuses drugs but there are no scenes with this person under the influence. There are some adult situations and conversations. There are also some funny moments. It is a mature story that can be enjoyed by a mature pre-teen.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Director: | Tom McCarthy |
| Cast: | Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Paul Giamatti |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 106 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 18, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | August 23, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
