Owning Mahowny (2003)

Director: Richard Kwietniowski Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Hurt, Minnie Driver Genres: Drama, Indie-Arthouse Cinema, Crime Origin: USA Certificate: M Running Time: 101 min

synopsis

Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers another staggering performance in Richard Kwietniowski's follow-up to LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND. Dan Mahowney (Hoffman) is a well-respected assistant bank manager with a pretty fiance, Belinda (Minnie Driver). But Dan also happens to be a compulsive gambler. One day, he steals ten thousand dollars from the bank in order to feed his addiction. From there, the embezzling only gets worse. Obsessed with gambling for gambling's sake, Dan matches his even bigger losses with even bigger bets. Soon, he's flying to Atlantic City at every opportunity, blowing hundreds of thousand dollars at a casino run by the shifty Victor Foss (John Hurt). Slowly, the Toronto police begin to catch on to Dan, although they have no idea just how guilty he is. When they finally set a trap to catch Dan, he's in the process of winning back all the money he has stolen. But as is the case with addicts, they never know when to say when, and Dan is no exception to the rule. Based on a true story, Kwietniowski's film presents gambling addiction with a matter-of-factness and lack of glamour that can be attributed to Dan Mahowney himself. Hoffman's portrayal of the unassuming criminal is another priceless gem.