after being subjected to the trailer for the movie 21 over and over again, i was in the mood for a fun gambling movie. just not THAT gambling movie. who wants to see a emo-haired math whiz trying to earn money for medical school before falling under the influence of the evil kevin spacey? sanctimonious much?
no, i like my gambling movies to celebrate gambling, and gamblers, and make them look all sassy.* and it’s even better if the gambling is done with games that i have no idea how to play, so i can’t even tell, when the cameras go in for close-ups of cards or tiles or game pieces, if the hands are winners.
so i absolutely loved the experience of tazza, which – despite being a little darker than the average gambling movies – is LOTS of glossy, ridiculous fun.
the film revolves around goni, a down-on-his-luck gambler who loses his sister’s entire alimony payment in a game of hwatu. in his despair, he throws himself on the mercy of pyeong, the best gambler in korea. however, he’s soon lured away by the beautiful madame jeong, who is a master gambler operating several grifting rings. and then he strikes out on his own after a narrow brush with the law, only to find himself navigating the rivalry between his two mentors.
but the story, which is told in a non-sequential manner, doesn’t really matter. it’s the gorgeous visuals, and the cocky smile of jo seung woo, who plays goni with a sense that any cares can simply be brushed off like lint on his increasingly ridiculous suits. (okay, that was a pretty tortured sentence, but the clothing does just get ridiculous, in a highly entertaining wait.)
the film is playing as part of the korean film festival in dc, which include a LOT of free movies at the freer. fanboys in the know would tell you that korea is the new hong kong, with tons of vibrant and exciting movies coming from there. at any rate, most of these films will present something that’s beautifully shot, but completely at odds with the pacing or storytelling of most American films, which is part of the fun of seeing them.
*i just want to make a note here that one reason i go to see so many gambling movies, and spend so little time actually gambling is the fact that gambling movies are sassy, and real-life gamblers are on mini scooters. or people with oxygen tanks. or obese chain smokers in t-shirts and sweats. no sass there. just a lot of depressing future member of “gamblers anonymous.” which is why i have no interest in gambling films that depict realistic American gambling. ick.
