Paul Giamatti keeps bagging the roles that actors who prefer to play more heroic types have passed on. He won’t get on the A-list that way, but he sure must have an interesting actor’s life.
The latest in this run in “Win Win,” a curious little indie that noodles along at its own unhurried pace. Sometimes you might want the film to hurry up a little, unfortunately. This one falls short, except at the level of acting.
Giamatti plays Mike Flaherty, a New Jersey lawyer and high-school wrestling coach. On both counts, he struggles to succeed — you might even say he won’t be on the A-list any time soon.
Fate could change that. Mike spots a shifty legal move he could make concerning the guardianship of an elderly man (Burt Young) who’s beginning to show signs of dementia. By assuming the legal custody of this client, Mike will pocket a monthly stipend that could really come in handy.
Even the complications seem to be working in Mike’s favor, when the man’s grandson (Alex Shaffer) arrives in town. This teenager is fleeing his addicted mother (nice performance by Melanie Lynskey) and — wouldn’t you know it — just happens to be a terrific wrestler.
So, yes, things seem to be going well for a while. But taking an ethical shortcut is probably going to catch up with Mike, and when it does, the piper must be paid.
“Win Win” is written and directed by Thomas McCarthy, whose previous films were “The Station Agent” and “The Visitor.” Based on that record, there’s no question McCarthy has a good eye for detail, and great sympathy for people who aren’t trying to live great lives.
I think “Win Win” is less successful than the previous films, although McCarthy (an actor himself) does elicit colorful work from a well-chosen cast.
And Giamatti is right on, as he usually is. This is one of those parts that would lose its credibility if it were played by Johnny Depp or Matt Damon. Sure, they might give a good performance. But who believes Johnny Depp or Matt Damon as a small-time high-school wrestling coach and heavily mortgaged lawyer?
Paul Giamatti, on the other hand, exudes overwork, bad eating habits and anxiety about failure. He’s the right man for the job.
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