When it comes to a film's success, a lot hinges on the quality of the director. A poor director can squander even the best of scripts or the most talented of casts. But a strong director can make magic even without the benefit of fundamentally great material.
One of the best examples of the latter is James Cameron, the 67-year-old Canadian director who has presided over some of the biggest hits in movie history. One could argue that "Titanic" and the top-grossing all-time film "Avatar" make for the most successful one-two punch any director can boast of. That said, even these movies were not revered for dialogue (or in the case of "Avatar" even performances). It was Cameron's touch that raised them both to such lucrative heights, in perhaps one of the clearest examples of the significance of a director having both a vision for a project and an understanding of the audience.
That perfect touch from a director makes a difference across all genres of movies –– including one that has had a stuttering relationship with its audience in poker film. Right now in the real world, poker is proving as popular as ever, with player numbers soaring online. Much of this is due to the shutdown of casinos during the pandemic, as people have turned to digital means of playing the game instead. But it has also been used by many as a means to stay connected, as reported by The New York Times. Interest in competitive poker is currently high as well, with the World Series of Poker about to wrap up a successful and well-publicized run following a pandemic-induced lull in 2020.
The last time poker felt quite this relevant was perhaps in 2003, when the same WSOP tournament helped spark the "poker boom" and catapult the film "Rounders" to cult status after a lukewarm cinematic release in 1998. Now, it's not as if a resurgent poker scene has us expecting another "Rounders." But it has caused us to think back on some of the great poker films that have come out over the years –– and the directors that made them so.
Here's a look at some of the figures who have made the genre so much fun over the years.
John Dahl
Gustavo Fernandez, JohnDahlJun07, CC BY 3.0
"Rounders" is the poker movie that all others aspire to be. The portrayal of the strategy, the jeopardy, and the potential fame inspired real-life players like Chris Moneymaker (who won the World Series of Poker in 2003). It made phrases like "splash the pot" common in everyday talk rather than just among the poker elite. But there's no better legacy for a movie than for it to be discussed regularly nearly 25 years after its release. Such is the case with "Rounders."
Dahl has gone on to direct episodes on a host of huge TV shows like "Breaking Bad" and "The Walking Dead," but, his portrayal of poker in "Rounders" is held in such esteem that it's the first thing that springs to mind whenever any film fan hears his name.
Jeff Probst
Greg Hernandez, Jeff Probst at 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards, CC BY-SA 2.0
"Finder's Fee" was a movie released in 2001 starring James Earl Jones, Robert Forster, and a youthful-looking Ryan Reynolds. The film concerns a group of friends who play a weekly home game of poker in which the winner of the pot takes home a stash of lottery tickets. However, the fun comes to a crashing halt when one of them finds a winning ticket in a lost wallet, and its rightful owner comes to the game just as it's about to begin.
Probst has since become more familiar on TV hosting his own show and serving as a host and executive director for "Survivor" on CBS. But it was his directorial debut in "Finder's Fee" that struck a chord with lovers of the card game.
Aaron Sorkin
Dominick D, Aaron Sorkin (27566400913), CC BY 2.0
"Molly's Game" was a hit with poker lovers and those who follow popular culture. It tells the story of Molly Bloom, a would-be ski champion who inadvertently found her way into high-stakes underground poker when an injury put her Olympic dream to rest. Bloom (played by Jessica Chastain) proves to be a star in the poker world, which is equal parts harrowing and thrilling for her.
The film marked a new direction for Sorkin, who has always been best known for writing television shows like "The West Wing" and films like "The Social Network." Though the acclaimed writer was recently back in the director's chair for "Being the Ricardos".
Director vision matters, arguably more than anything else in film. And through these examples, we can see that it's also what has elevated an entire genre that might otherwise be far more obscure.
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The man doesn't stop. James Gunn has confirmed he's already hard at work writing his next film, even as ‘Man of Tomorrow’ makes its way toward theaters next summer.