I promise I won't give away the important bits...
The Good.
For someone who has never been to Vegas, the onsite shots were beautiful. I seem to recall reading that the Bellagio and Horshoe scenes were carefully constructed soundstages, but I have no point of reference.
There are scenes that involve other games too. I recall seeing Omaha and Stud/8.
Seeing all the pros.
The little homage to 2003 when the main character says for Farha, "You out?" and Sammy mentions that the villian in question was playing in his first live tournament.
The portrayal of the compulsive elements of Vegas gambling is good. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it upset my stomach.
Mike the Mouth has no lines. Most of the pros did not speak. they did a great job just being themselves (Except Jennifer Harman, who plays a different character in a sattelite
The guy with the boobs
The acting: B-
The Bad
I really expected a lot more poker cliche's in the casual conversation. That being said they flow like milk and honey when the scene is set around a poker table. Eejit's recent post about chatting at the table has nothing on some of the discussion that go on in the film. There are enough dialogue "groaners" to make it a great DVD to play drinking games with at a party.
The love story is pretty weak too.
Sammy Farha wearing eyeliner.
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General Star Sightings. (that I can recognize)
Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow, Chris Ferguson, Daniel Negraneau, Barry Greenstein, Cyndi Violette, E-Dog, Eric Seidel, Minh Ly
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Overall opinion: I enjoyed it for what it was, a little romantic melodrama that was set against the backdrop of a game I enjoy. If you
just want to go see it for the poker, then my advice is this. Take that money, use it for a tournament buy-in and when it comes out on DVD rent it as side activity for a poker party with your buddies.
If you think Drew Barrymore is hot, go see it.
If your wife think Eric Bana is hot, take her to go see it.
If you think Doyle Brunson is hot, get help.