The Story
The story follows protagonist William Tell (Oscar Isaac) – a poker and blackjack player whose name is surely an intentional pun. Tell is a veteran who languished in prison for over 8 years for having committed war crimes in Abu Ghraib, in the aftermath of 9/11. Having learnt to count cards in prison, Tell puts this skill to good use in the real world once he is released. He travels the length and breadth of the United States, moving from casino to casino and winning low stakes games of poker and blackjack. While Tell’s passion is poker – which he is also considerably skilled at – his true gambling prowess comes into play when he counts cards at blackjack tables.
A Man With a Code
Tell has a code. He doesn’t enjoy the limelight, and even says during the film that he hates celebrity gambling. That’s why he frequents only the most low-profile casinos and never overstays his welcome – by only winning modest amounts at low stakes tables, never staying at the casino hotels, always staying at low-budget motels, and generally keeping himself as inconspicuous as possible. Tell just wants to gamble his way through life without any of the fame and popularity that other professional gamblers aspire to have.
Having spent 8 years in prison for participating in a horrific crime in which he wasn’t the lone perpetrator, Tell carries the trauma of incarceration while also knowing that he wasn’t wholly responsible for the human rights abuses he was convicted for. That explains why he strips the decorative elements off every motel room he stays in, and covers up most of the room with white sheets and twine – essentially recreating the no-nonsense, barebones nature of his prison cell because he feels like that’s the best he deserves.
The film is a dark psychological thriller set within the world of gambling.
The Past Catches Up
The story truly takes shape when Tell meets Cirk Baufort (Tye Sheridan) when he ends up at a security conference held by retired Major John Gordo (Willem Dafoe). Just as Tell is about to leave the conference, he is recognised by Cirk – whose father was also in the same squad that committed human rights abuses in Abu Ghraib. Cirk explains how his father turned to a life of drug use and familial abuse, following which he took his own life. It so turns out that Major John Gordo also trained the squad in carrying out their acts of abuse, but evaded conviction on account of being a private contractor at the time. Cirk holds Major Gordo directly responsible for the death of his father and the consequences he had to suffer, which is why he requests Tell to assist him in assassinating the retired general.
William Tell has Tough Choices to Make
Instead of helping Cirk in his quest for blood, Tell sees an opportunity for retribution – not just for Cirk, but for himself. He takes it upon himself to prevent Cirk from continuing the cycle of violence and instead offers Cirk the opportunity to travel with him to casinos across the country and clear his familial debts. Tell accepts high-stakes bankroller La Linda’s (Tiffany Haddish) offer in order to participate in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to earn enough money to clear Cirk’s debts, and turn his attention away from his quest for vengeance. The film follows Tell’s attempt to win retribution for both himself and Cirk, by creating a father-son bond between these two characters who are so uniquely tortured by the ghosts of their past, taking them on a journey that leads to a tragic end.
The Card Counter – Film Review
The reason why we covered the plot so extensively, is because any The Card Counter movie review begs the question – is this even a film about poker and blackjack? Honestly, we can’t say that it is – even if it is largely set in the world of blackjack casinos and card games.
The Card Counter is about a troubled man seeking redemption from a past that haunts him. It’s also a film about torture, human rights abuses, and the unique difficulties that America’s veterans deal with after a lot of crimes against humanity received implicit approval in the aftermath of 9/11. The film examines to what extent a man bears responsibility for his actions, and to what extent one may go to seek redemption. This trope of the troubled man is one that we’ve seen before, but Schrader’s explorations of morality through these characters are often memorable – especially in the case of William Tell.
The Card Counter is Structured Like a Poker Game
The Card Counter is a well-made film. The flashback scenes to Tell’s time in prison are the most unique, wherein a fish-eye lens is used to capture an almost VR-like look into Tell’s prison cell. These shots are visually stunning and leave an indelible mark on one’s memory. The visceral nature of the torture sequences is not visceral for the sake of it, but rather to advance the storytelling. What also makes this film really unique is that it holds its cards close to its chest and is practically structured like a poker game, giving away very little until the time is absolutely right and building up to a gripping, heart-breaking denouement. This approach largely works in the film’s favor, even though it sometimes felt like a slow burner – just before providing relief by way of a plot advancement. And while the film sometimes seems like it’s falling into the territory of doing too much at once, it steadies its course marvelously and stays on track.
The Card Counter isn’t strictly a film about gambling, but is set in the world of casinos and cards to explore challenging themes and tell a truly unforgettable story. One of the best films of 2021, and one you shouldn’t miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope that our Card Counter movie review gave you a sense of what to expect from the film. It is based in the world of casinos and gambling, so here are answers to some more questions you might have related to the more technical aspects of that world. For other topics and guides related to gambling, click here.
What is card counting?
Card counting is a strategy used most popularly in blackjack and poker - wherein the player counts the opened cards on the table to determine the likelihood of other cards appearing next. Click here to understand card counting more deeply.
Is the blackjack strategy in the film accurate?
There’s a scene in the film where Tell (Oscar Isaac) explains what essentially is the Hi-Lo method of counting in blackjack. The explanation provided was accurate, even if rudimentary. Follow the like to our Hi-Lo Blackjack review.
What is the poker series depicted in the film?
The series depicted in the Card Counter film is the World Series of Poker (WSOP), which is among the biggest poker events in the world. In 2022, the WSOP will make its here on the Las Vegas Strip.
