The Gambler

Throw together an English literature professor, gangsters, gambling and a little bit of romance and you have Mark Wahlberg’s latest thriller, The Gambler .

Jim Bennett (Wahlberg) is not your average professor. Half of his life is spent in the world of literature, and the other half as a high stakes gambler. But when he uses his own life as collateral in a money deal with notorious gangster Neville Baraka (Michael K.Williams), a chain of events starts that may just get the best of him. Thinking, as always, that he can stay one step ahead, he complicates the situation further by involving an illegal gambling ring and attracts the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal streak. And if his life doesn’t already seem busy enough, Bennett’s growing relationship with a student (Brie Larson) means that he must put everything on the line for a second chance.

The Gambler will leave you wondering whether any of your professors lead such a dangerous and high-stakes life outside of their office hours…

Jess Walker