Review: ‘The Grand’

Travis:

I have to admit I wasn’t sure this movie was going to cut it. When I first saw it hitting theatres I figured it would bomb, then I did a little research and was utterly shocked by the talent it scored. So, with expectations suppressed, I entered the theatre and hoped for the best. What resulted was a very surprisingly funny mockumentary that succeeds in a genre with very few cinematic inhabitants … and it has nothing to do with Christopher Guest.

The Grand (2007) was directed by Zak Penn (Incident at Loch Ness), who is primarily a writer. The film was really only written in a general sense, as is the typical style of the mockumentary, covering basic plot and story-line. It is up to the comedic talent on hand to make the movie work. I have to say my words tasted sort of sweet and sour, as this was much more enjoyable than I had given it potential credit to be. The initial opening sequence is a bit rocky, almost amateurish … but the movie quickly escapes the stigma that typically leaches itself to a bad opening few minutes.

The basic story is this: Woody Harrelson plays On-Eyed Jack Faro, a professional poker player who’s addicted to everything on Earth that can be addictive, and who has inherited his grandfather’s Las Vegas casino. Jack has recently found himself duped out of his casino as the result of a tricky loan situation and now must come up with $7 million to bail himself out, or the hole place will be demolished at the hands of billionaire Vegas mogul Steve Lavisch, played by Michael McKean (This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show). In an attempt to win the money he needs, Jack enters himself in the $10 million poker championship that is hosted by his own casino, the Rabbit’s Foot.

The Grand offers one heck of an ensemble cast of comedians, including: Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Richard Kind (For Your Consideration), Chris Parnell (Anchorman), Judy Greer (The Amateurs), Mike Epps (Friday After Next), Shannon Elizabeth (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), David Cross (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Werner Herzog (Wow! How’d they get him?), Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Hank Azaria (Run Fatboy Run), as well as several real poker stars including Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak and many more.

As is the case with mocumentaries, the story is sort of thin and plays less of a role in the movie than the comedic performances. Many of the character interaction are absolutely hilarious, especially just about all of the scenes featuring Chris Parnell as Marold Melvin and many of the scenes between the two ESPN-style sports commentators covering the poker tournament. Even though I found myself skeptical at first, and being a devout lover of the Christopher Guest mockumentaries, I can honestly say The Grand holds its own and is definitely worth watching. I, along with several others in the theatre, found ourselves competing for the title of loudest outbursts of laughter throughout the movie.

(4 out of 5)

Zac:

This poker mockumentary from Zak Penn is funny and excellent addition to this sub-genre of films that there needs to be more of.
Woody Harrelson is the closet to a lead as “One Eyed” Jack Faro in this ensemble piece about a poker tournament, “The Grand”, with a few million dollars at stake that will let Faro save his family’s casino which he wrote away the deeds to during his drunken/drugged/and sex riddled time of his life. Faro is on the tail end of another rehab stint as he comes back to Vegas to compete against 6 likely competitors.
Larry and Lanie Schwartzman are a pair of siblings that are consistent winners in the pro circuit and have had a dueling sibling rivalry for as long as they have lived. Larry is the prankster and loud mouth of the circuit searching for his father’s approval, while Lanie dominates her husband and marriage to Fred Marsh (Ray Romano). The German (Werner Herzog) is a sadistic animal killer that has zero compassion on or off the table to anyone or anything. Harold Melvin (Chris Parnell) is a “special” competitor that knows every odd on the table and has little to no ability socially or for self preservation. Andy Andrews (Richard Kind) is the “Amateur” that plays with caution to the wind with little to no knowledge of the game. Lastly is “Deuce”(Dennis Farina) the old school card player from the old school days of Vegas that busts the balls of anyone that gets in his way.
Most of these characters come together at the eventual final table, obviously, but what is cool about the final scene is that there is no script, they play the game as the cards fall and whoever wins, wins, and the films result is at the hands of the players.
As for the players, all of the actors do a great job at creating unique and individual personalities for all of these guys and they are all at least a bit funny, with some standing out more than others. The standouts I will start with David Cross who berates players as he plays and spouts off some fantastic slams and bouts of harassment that are a joy to watch. Woody Harrelson also does a very good job as the laid back Faro and sells his story well as he has the most fleshed out back story by far. The real stand out though is Parnell who comes out of nowhere and steals every scene he is in, prepared to be blown away by his brilliant comic performance.
The film also has a smattering of cameos and bit roles for a number of recognizable actors with Ray Romano and Jason Alexander standing out among the crowd. Alexander is great as the mystery ethnic character that gets angry at the table and will go toe to toe with any member on the circuit. Romano plays the awkward and dim husband to a T and makes the most of his moderate screen time and plays perfectly off of Cheryl Hines.
In the end, Zak Penn has made a worthy addition to the mockumentary genre that is just about on par with Christopher Guest’s works and should be seeked out by anyone that is a fan of the genre because this one is a winner.

(4 out Aces out of 5)

[rating: 4/5]