There’s a point in the middle of THE CARD COUNTER when Tye Sheridan’s character (Cirk with a C) is asked by Oscar Isaac (the titular character, who goes by the name William Tell) what he thinks of the gambling nightlife. “It’s fine. It’s repetitive and I don’t really know where any of it is going.” It doesn’t take the most astute viewer to recognize that as a little self critique from writer/director Paul Schrader.

Starts off so strongly, and Oscar Isaac can really lead a damn movie. But it hits that middle section and just kinda…flops around until it ends. Still there’s something so compelling about hearing Schrader’s ear for monologue used towards explaining poker and other card games- rules I don’t understand whatsoever, but sound richly poetic when coming from the mouth of someone who knows what they’re talking about. 

Tiffany Haddish does an interesting turn here. She’s almost too warm, funny and charismatic for the movie, but then again I totally believed that she was this character. Her simple outlook on life and lack of existentialism offer a nice contrast to Tell’s brooding sorrow. Plus, La Linda is just a great character name. 

It winds up being just another of Schrader’s Lonely Man movies (complete with a notebook, a desk, a lamp, a bottle of liquor, and a voiceover), but if that’s your thing- you’ll still find a lot to enjoy here.