"Owning Mahoney" tells of a bank account manager and pathological gambler who lives from one wager to the next on a collision course with oblivion. A powerful and compelling tour de force by Hoffman - who once again proves he ranks among the actor's actors with the likes of Brando, Pacino, and Nicholson - this engrossing film claims to be a true story of a man, money, and an obsession of remarkable proportions. A worthwhile watch for Hoffman fans and anyone into character studies, particularly of obsessive-compulsive types. All others stay away. (A-)
91 Reviews
Intense! Brilliantly Acted.
andy90216 October 2003
Phillip Seymour Hoffman is without a doubt the best independent actor making movies today. I first fell for him when he played the Jaw Dropping low life shady character Allen in Happiness, and since then his career has only gotten brighter (or darker?). He personifies "creep", and in roles like the mattress man from Punch Drunk Love, I find myself wanting to reach through the screen and strangle him. Of course, he does it again in Owning Mahoney as Dan Mahoney a young assistant manager at a Toronto bank who uses other people's funds to repay debts and feed his gambling addiction. My dissatisfaction rises as he becomes more audacious and gambles away more and more of his misbegotten cash. You will find yourself yelling "QUIT NOW!!" at the screen, but his only reply will be "but i just got here". Dan Mahoney is possibly the simplest and most complex character I've seen Hoffman tackle. Is it the love of gambling that drives him to play $70,000 hands?? No, his facial expressions don't change from when he's up 9 million, to when he's gambled away his last $500 chip. His addiction has no purpose, it's almost as if he is doing this simply to survive. Hoffman wasn't the only gem in this picture, he was coupled with Minnie Driver who was almost unidentifiable with her dark rimmed glasses and bleached blonde hair (and not a bad Canadian accent eh?). It's too bad this film will probably only be seen by true independent film/Hoffman fans because it's intense and gripping. A slice of someone's life destroyed by addiction, this is a must see!
The Gambler
jotix10025 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
"Owning Mahowny" shown recently on cable came as a total surprise. This is a film to watch because of the amazing performance of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Under the direction of Richard Kwietniowski, and based on a real incident that occurred in Toronto in the 80s, this film speaks clearly about an addiction and what it does to a man who is in complete denial about his problem.
Dan Mahowny is not exactly what one would expect from a bank executive. He appears unkempt and to a certain degree dirty, so that alone, would have made any bank manager pass him over, in favor of a pretty boy who would have looked the part. Obviously, the real Dan was a man that knew his banking business and it was on that basis that he was appointed to the executive post.
It appears clearly that Dan is in trouble. The reptilian Frank Perlin comes to him at the beginning of the film to demand what Dan owes him. The only problem is that Dan doesn't have the money. Dan's solution is to "borrow" funds from the bank to cover his debts. This is the beginning of Dan's descent into hell. His gambling addiction will make him steal more and more. As a gambler, Dan plays without any plan. It appears, like with other gamblers, Mahowny is superstitious, as we see when his friend goes to his table to put a curse, in this sick man's mind, and he will lose everything. The next occasion is when he breaks the bank in Atlantic City. Instead of listening to his friend, who tells him to walk away, he gambles it all and ends up with nothing.
Dan, like other gamblers, is only concerned with gambling in any shape, or form. Mahowny couldn't care less for the mousy Belinda, the woman who loves him and who confronts him about his gambling addiction. Belinda even offers to give him all her savings to repay his debts, which at the time, have reached astronomic proportions. Belinda's love makes her stand by her man, no matter how bad things are. There's a ray of hope at the end as one sees Dan and Belinda standing next to the fall in Niagara.
This is a film that offers a magnificent nuanced performance from Mr. Hoffman. This actor has the ability to get into the skin of all his characters. Aside from being an accomplished actor, he always projects the angst and the turmoil that is going inside Dan. There is not a false moment in Mr. Hoffman's portrayal of Dan. Having seen him on stage, one can only wonder what can't this man do.
Minnie Driver, as Belinda is perfect as the girl who thinks Dan is the only man for her. Instead of abandoning him once she realizes his problem, she stays until the end. One hopes things did work out for them, because this is a woman who clearly deserve some happiness.
The other great performance is by John Hurt. He plays the Atlantic City casino manager that knows what makes Dan tick. Victor Fox realizes what goes on in the gambler's psyche. Ultimately, he knows Dan will lose everything because he plays without any plan at all. Maury Chaykin has some good moments playing Frank Perlin.
The scenes of the casino, which probably were filmed in either a studio, or one of the smaller places, have a seedy look. We don't get wowed by all the opulence one encounters in the big places of Las Vegas, or Atlantic City.
Director Kwietniowski, concentrates in keeping his camera on Dan's face as we watch the gambler in action. Ultimately the film belongs to Phillip Seymour Hoffman for his honest and accomplished take on a man who gambled his future away.
Dan Mahowny is not exactly what one would expect from a bank executive. He appears unkempt and to a certain degree dirty, so that alone, would have made any bank manager pass him over, in favor of a pretty boy who would have looked the part. Obviously, the real Dan was a man that knew his banking business and it was on that basis that he was appointed to the executive post.
It appears clearly that Dan is in trouble. The reptilian Frank Perlin comes to him at the beginning of the film to demand what Dan owes him. The only problem is that Dan doesn't have the money. Dan's solution is to "borrow" funds from the bank to cover his debts. This is the beginning of Dan's descent into hell. His gambling addiction will make him steal more and more. As a gambler, Dan plays without any plan. It appears, like with other gamblers, Mahowny is superstitious, as we see when his friend goes to his table to put a curse, in this sick man's mind, and he will lose everything. The next occasion is when he breaks the bank in Atlantic City. Instead of listening to his friend, who tells him to walk away, he gambles it all and ends up with nothing.
Dan, like other gamblers, is only concerned with gambling in any shape, or form. Mahowny couldn't care less for the mousy Belinda, the woman who loves him and who confronts him about his gambling addiction. Belinda even offers to give him all her savings to repay his debts, which at the time, have reached astronomic proportions. Belinda's love makes her stand by her man, no matter how bad things are. There's a ray of hope at the end as one sees Dan and Belinda standing next to the fall in Niagara.
This is a film that offers a magnificent nuanced performance from Mr. Hoffman. This actor has the ability to get into the skin of all his characters. Aside from being an accomplished actor, he always projects the angst and the turmoil that is going inside Dan. There is not a false moment in Mr. Hoffman's portrayal of Dan. Having seen him on stage, one can only wonder what can't this man do.
Minnie Driver, as Belinda is perfect as the girl who thinks Dan is the only man for her. Instead of abandoning him once she realizes his problem, she stays until the end. One hopes things did work out for them, because this is a woman who clearly deserve some happiness.
The other great performance is by John Hurt. He plays the Atlantic City casino manager that knows what makes Dan tick. Victor Fox realizes what goes on in the gambler's psyche. Ultimately, he knows Dan will lose everything because he plays without any plan at all. Maury Chaykin has some good moments playing Frank Perlin.
The scenes of the casino, which probably were filmed in either a studio, or one of the smaller places, have a seedy look. We don't get wowed by all the opulence one encounters in the big places of Las Vegas, or Atlantic City.
Director Kwietniowski, concentrates in keeping his camera on Dan's face as we watch the gambler in action. Ultimately the film belongs to Phillip Seymour Hoffman for his honest and accomplished take on a man who gambled his future away.
sad and haunting
Buddy-5111 April 2004
`Some folks believe that everyone has a public life, a private life and a secret life.'
These are the opening words of `Owning Mahowny,' a fascinating real-life tale of a compulsive gambler whose life falls to pieces when he begins embezzling funds from the bank where he works in order to feed his obsession. Dan Mahowny's `secret life' became public in the early 1980's when he was finally arrested and convicted on charges of bank theft. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who has made a career out of playing sad sack, tormented souls, gives one of his richest performances to date as Mahowny, a mild-mannered man caught in the grip of that compulsive sickness known as gambling addiction. Minnie Driver plays his devoted girlfriend who loves Dan dearly but who cannot bear to stand by and watch helplessly as he slowly but inexorably destroys his life.
If the film were only about Mahowny's gambling problem, it would be no different from countless TV movies made on the same subject. What sets this film apart is the way in which writer Maurice Chauvet (working off the original novel by Gary Stephen Ross) and director Richard Kwietniowski make the background of the story as compelling as the foreground. The astute, observant script focuses as much on the ins and outs of the casino and gambling worlds as it does on the personal travails of its main character. Particularly intriguing is the way in which high rollers are followed and coddled by the casino owners using both high tech equipment like cameras and monitors as well as plain old-fashioned flattery, obsequiousness and deceit. John Hurt, in a brilliant performance, plays a smarmy casino operator in Atlantic City who will stop at nothing to make Mahowny feel at home in his establishment all for the purpose of having his new found `friend' gamble away a fortune at his tables, of course. The film is, in fact, filled with interesting side characters, including a sympathetic bellhop, who befriends Dan and who tries to convince him to leave the casino he happens to work for; several of the petty loan sharks with whom Dan finds himself inextricably connected; and a whole host of law enforcement officials whose job it is to bring Dan in on grand theft felony charges.
The filmmakers have taken a laid back, subtle approach to their material. They allow the story to develop slowly, offering us the chance to get to know Mahowny and his world at an unhurried, leisurely pace. Since Mahowny is, himself, such a secretive, quiet character, it is appropriate that the film that bears his name should also reflect that quality of muted sadness in its pacing and tone. Towards the end, however, once the authorities begin moving in for the kill and we sense the inevitable grip of Fate tightening around this strangely likable character, the film becomes both highly suspenseful and immensely moving at one and the same time. What's fascinating is that we are always one step ahead of Mahowny in our understanding of what is about to befall him. As in all great tragedies, it is the Cassandra-like burden placed on the audience that of being able to see the future with no hope of doing anything to prevent it that gives the film its air of pervasive sadness.
`Owning Mahowny' is a beautifully written, directed and acted film that opens up for us a strange and fascinating world.
These are the opening words of `Owning Mahowny,' a fascinating real-life tale of a compulsive gambler whose life falls to pieces when he begins embezzling funds from the bank where he works in order to feed his obsession. Dan Mahowny's `secret life' became public in the early 1980's when he was finally arrested and convicted on charges of bank theft. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who has made a career out of playing sad sack, tormented souls, gives one of his richest performances to date as Mahowny, a mild-mannered man caught in the grip of that compulsive sickness known as gambling addiction. Minnie Driver plays his devoted girlfriend who loves Dan dearly but who cannot bear to stand by and watch helplessly as he slowly but inexorably destroys his life.
If the film were only about Mahowny's gambling problem, it would be no different from countless TV movies made on the same subject. What sets this film apart is the way in which writer Maurice Chauvet (working off the original novel by Gary Stephen Ross) and director Richard Kwietniowski make the background of the story as compelling as the foreground. The astute, observant script focuses as much on the ins and outs of the casino and gambling worlds as it does on the personal travails of its main character. Particularly intriguing is the way in which high rollers are followed and coddled by the casino owners using both high tech equipment like cameras and monitors as well as plain old-fashioned flattery, obsequiousness and deceit. John Hurt, in a brilliant performance, plays a smarmy casino operator in Atlantic City who will stop at nothing to make Mahowny feel at home in his establishment all for the purpose of having his new found `friend' gamble away a fortune at his tables, of course. The film is, in fact, filled with interesting side characters, including a sympathetic bellhop, who befriends Dan and who tries to convince him to leave the casino he happens to work for; several of the petty loan sharks with whom Dan finds himself inextricably connected; and a whole host of law enforcement officials whose job it is to bring Dan in on grand theft felony charges.
The filmmakers have taken a laid back, subtle approach to their material. They allow the story to develop slowly, offering us the chance to get to know Mahowny and his world at an unhurried, leisurely pace. Since Mahowny is, himself, such a secretive, quiet character, it is appropriate that the film that bears his name should also reflect that quality of muted sadness in its pacing and tone. Towards the end, however, once the authorities begin moving in for the kill and we sense the inevitable grip of Fate tightening around this strangely likable character, the film becomes both highly suspenseful and immensely moving at one and the same time. What's fascinating is that we are always one step ahead of Mahowny in our understanding of what is about to befall him. As in all great tragedies, it is the Cassandra-like burden placed on the audience that of being able to see the future with no hope of doing anything to prevent it that gives the film its air of pervasive sadness.
`Owning Mahowny' is a beautifully written, directed and acted film that opens up for us a strange and fascinating world.
Engaging 'true crime' tale
glgioia27 April 2005
Interesting examination of a young Canadian bank executive who embezzles money to feed an insatiable gambling addiction.
Hoffman gives a yeoman's if not overly subdued performance as Dan Mahowny, and the film for the most part is a better than average watch. Strangely, the film plops you right into chapter 5 or thereabouts, and your left wondering who is this guy for the entire film. The motivation for Mahowny's odd behavior is never really broached. The film starts with Mahowny sports betting and playing for the usual small stakes, he then mysteriously falls off a cliff in his wagering amounts and we're supposed to swallow that it all stemmed off of a 10000 obligation? Then we're off to the races as he becomes this casino legend. Needed a little more development, and thats being kind.
The direction is clever, in particular the ironic use of scenes showing the symbiotic relationship of bank and casino. On the nay side, the small budget generates the expected technical issues, most glaringly, never once providing camera-work that remotely convinces you he's in either Vegas or Atlantic City. The casino interior shots aren't properly done to eliminate the claustrophobic soundstagitis, and the only exterior shots found in the entire movie, are blatantly in Canada. As example, there is a scene where Mahowny is contemplating life while standing on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean. Its so obviously a lake or even pond and not the ocean, that its borderline embarrassing. Finally John Hurt, who i really like, is given liberty to really ham it overboard. But believe it or not, I genuinely like this film, and do recommend it.
PS/ I don't care that what anyone says, the woman who hits him up for 100 bux in the casino is Sandra Oh.
Hoffman gives a yeoman's if not overly subdued performance as Dan Mahowny, and the film for the most part is a better than average watch. Strangely, the film plops you right into chapter 5 or thereabouts, and your left wondering who is this guy for the entire film. The motivation for Mahowny's odd behavior is never really broached. The film starts with Mahowny sports betting and playing for the usual small stakes, he then mysteriously falls off a cliff in his wagering amounts and we're supposed to swallow that it all stemmed off of a 10000 obligation? Then we're off to the races as he becomes this casino legend. Needed a little more development, and thats being kind.
The direction is clever, in particular the ironic use of scenes showing the symbiotic relationship of bank and casino. On the nay side, the small budget generates the expected technical issues, most glaringly, never once providing camera-work that remotely convinces you he's in either Vegas or Atlantic City. The casino interior shots aren't properly done to eliminate the claustrophobic soundstagitis, and the only exterior shots found in the entire movie, are blatantly in Canada. As example, there is a scene where Mahowny is contemplating life while standing on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean. Its so obviously a lake or even pond and not the ocean, that its borderline embarrassing. Finally John Hurt, who i really like, is given liberty to really ham it overboard. But believe it or not, I genuinely like this film, and do recommend it.
PS/ I don't care that what anyone says, the woman who hits him up for 100 bux in the casino is Sandra Oh.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Seymour Hoffman
SnoopyStyle9 February 2014
This is based on a real story that happened in 1980-82. Dan Mahowny (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is the youngest assistant manager of a major bank branch at the heart of Toronto's financial district. Little does anybody know, he has a gambling addiction. He uses his position to steal millions to feed his gambling habit.
This is all about Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is amazing. He isn't just a great co-star. He is the lead. He is the star. And he is compelling. He's been great as the brilliant actor's actor for many years acting beside some of the greats in some great movies. Two years after this, he will win best actor for his own great movie 'Capote'.
The style is strip down. PSH has those 80s glasses. Mostly there is his desperation and his obsession. Minnie Driver goes blonde and I don't really recognize her. Maury Chaykin is great as the bookie.
This is all about Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is amazing. He isn't just a great co-star. He is the lead. He is the star. And he is compelling. He's been great as the brilliant actor's actor for many years acting beside some of the greats in some great movies. Two years after this, he will win best actor for his own great movie 'Capote'.
The style is strip down. PSH has those 80s glasses. Mostly there is his desperation and his obsession. Minnie Driver goes blonde and I don't really recognize her. Maury Chaykin is great as the bookie.
Hoffmans performance is top notch!
rosscinema1 June 2003
Warning: Spoilers
This is the true story of the biggest Canadian bank fraud case in Toronto's history. The story is about a compulsive gambler of the worst kind named Dan Mahowny (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Mahowny has just become promoted to being a bank manager and he is very good at his job. Unfortunately, he has access to a million dollar account and dummies up paperwork to get his hands on money to keep gambling. His fiance Belinda (Minnie Driver) knows he goes to the track and bets a little but is unaware of the extent of his problem. He goes to a casino in Atlantic City to bet and the owner Victor Foss (John Hurt) quickly notices him and keeps his eye on him. Lots of questions are being asked as to who this Mahowny really is and they think he's a real high roller. They tempt him with free shows but he says no, he just wants to gamble. They try and give him free drinks and he still says no. Then Foss sends up a prostitute to his free suite and he sends her back. Foss is fascinated by Mahowny and calls him "The Ice Man". But the police have been tapping the line of Mahowny's bookie and they also are trying to figure out where he gets the money. What can you say about Hoffmans performance? In my book its an early candidate for an Oscar nomination and I'll be checking the nominations out next year. Hoffman plays Mahowny exactly the way an obsessive person would. Hoffman rarely even looks at whoever he is communicating with. He seems to be annoyed that he has to stop gambling and talk to people. His whole existence is to gamble. Hoffman throws himself into the role and their is no compassion aimed at his character. Your not suppose to root for him but Hoffman is so compelling to watch that your fascinated by the attention that he has accumulated at the casinos. Hoffman is at the top of his form and even when you see Mahowny at work its just an excuse to try and get more money for his real existence. To gamble. Driver is a terrific actress but aside from some scenes when she confronts her fiance about his problem she seems to be in a role that screamed to be rewritten. Two scenes stick out with Driver, the first is a very symbolic shot of her in Las Vegas looking for Mahowny. She is coming down the escalator to find her fiance. But on the other side of her the escalator has a newly wedded couple on their way up! I thought this symbolized her fate if she continues to have a relationship with him. The other scene is when she finds Mahowny at the poker table and a security guard is about to drag her away for annoying the players. Mahowny barely notices her and its here that Belinda realizes the extent of his problem. Hurt is also good as the fascinated Victor Foss. His character has seen a lot of gamblers with problems before but Mahowny seems to be the king of all of them and its something that he's never seen before, at least not on such an extreme level. Well made film is directed by Richard Kwietniowski who is smart enough to get terrific actors to enhance his low budget films. While the film is structured adequately, its the performance by Hoffman that really raises this film up a few levels. When the nominations come out next year, I hope they remember this finely detailed performance.
An Actor's Film
DanB-41 February 2004
For anyone in Dan Mahowny's life who cared to look, all the signs were there. Bad hair, disheveled clothes, no overcoat in Toronto in winter, empty apartment and a '74 Dodge Dart. He should have had more but did not. He had everything the addict needs - a source of income, a source of his addiction and several "enablers" in his life.
Owning Mahowny tells the famous and true story of a mid-level bank manager at the CIBC, who in the early 80s, stole $10,000,000 from several high profile clients, and a few non-existent ones. All the funds were lost in Atlantic City and Vegas. But this is not a con movie, it is far more clever than that. It is a detailed and devastating study of a gambling addiction.
We all know that Mahowny will get caught, but how and when. He has no record, is not a criminal and he is well respected at his job. What this film does almost better than anything is reveals how the day to day events allows the protagonist to prolong his inevitable collapse.
As the film progresses, Mahowny becomes more and more paranoid. Every open file, every meeting and every phone call represents his potential downfall. Note how he maneuvers through key meetings and audits. But he is not afraid of getting caught, he is afraid of losing his lifeline to the thrill of the bet.
You just simply cannot say enough about both the leads in this film. Philip Seymour Hoffman is spot on perfect as Mahowny, focused on the next hand, rarely raising his eyes to the camera. John Hurt is also wonderful as the malevolent casino boss who is all too happy to take Mahowny's money and not care where it came from.
Had this film received better backing, Hoffman may well have received his first Oscar nomination. As it stands, you will have to seek this out on DVD. It is an edgy and well directed study in to the mind of an addict. Not perfect, but I loved this from start to finish. ***1/2 out of ****.
Owning Mahowny tells the famous and true story of a mid-level bank manager at the CIBC, who in the early 80s, stole $10,000,000 from several high profile clients, and a few non-existent ones. All the funds were lost in Atlantic City and Vegas. But this is not a con movie, it is far more clever than that. It is a detailed and devastating study of a gambling addiction.
We all know that Mahowny will get caught, but how and when. He has no record, is not a criminal and he is well respected at his job. What this film does almost better than anything is reveals how the day to day events allows the protagonist to prolong his inevitable collapse.
As the film progresses, Mahowny becomes more and more paranoid. Every open file, every meeting and every phone call represents his potential downfall. Note how he maneuvers through key meetings and audits. But he is not afraid of getting caught, he is afraid of losing his lifeline to the thrill of the bet.
You just simply cannot say enough about both the leads in this film. Philip Seymour Hoffman is spot on perfect as Mahowny, focused on the next hand, rarely raising his eyes to the camera. John Hurt is also wonderful as the malevolent casino boss who is all too happy to take Mahowny's money and not care where it came from.
Had this film received better backing, Hoffman may well have received his first Oscar nomination. As it stands, you will have to seek this out on DVD. It is an edgy and well directed study in to the mind of an addict. Not perfect, but I loved this from start to finish. ***1/2 out of ****.
Only mildly compelling
gridoon27 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
"Owning Mahowny" is not a bad film, and you probably won't regret seeing it. On the other hand, you don't need to rush out to see it, either. It's based on a true story, but I'm not quite convinced that it was a story worthy of being made into a film. Let's see, what are the two main things we learn from this one? 1) If you embezzle large amounts of money from the bank you work in, you'll eventually get caught, and 2) If you're an obsessive gambler you're doomed, because most of the time you'll be losing and even when you're winning you won't be able to just pick up your winnings and walk away. I think we all knew these things before we sat down to watch the film. A lot of praise has gone to Philip Seymour Hoffman's acting here; indeed, he is so good at portraying this monotonous man that I found him...well, monotonous. Minnie Driver (in what is possibly the most unflattering haircut of her career) is wasted as Mahowny's ever-understanding girlfriend. The truly outstanding performance is given by John Hurt as the enigmatic casino boss, who simultaneously pities, admires, likes and exploits Mahowny. If you're interested in movies about obsessive gambling, you might want to check out the 1974 flick "The Gambler", with James Caan. (**1/2)
The True Story on Gambling Obsession
gaslad11 February 2006
Canadian movies- especially those made with taxpayers' dollars- have always bored me. But "Owning Mahowny" broke the mold, and is a mesmerizing exception to the rule. I am amazed this film did not meet with more popular success, given the critical acclaim it received.
Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of the bland and somewhat shabby banker who embezzled 10 million to support his gambling addiction is spot on. I can say this with some authority since I knew "Mahowny" personally back in high school, where his predilection for the racetrack and for fleecing junior students at cards was legendary. The seedy clothes, the clunker car, and the repressed demeanor all ring true. Kudos to Hoffman for a riveting performance.
Gambling movies (The Cincinnati Kid, The Hustler) have by and large ignored the addiction angle. This film delivers- in spades.
Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of the bland and somewhat shabby banker who embezzled 10 million to support his gambling addiction is spot on. I can say this with some authority since I knew "Mahowny" personally back in high school, where his predilection for the racetrack and for fleecing junior students at cards was legendary. The seedy clothes, the clunker car, and the repressed demeanor all ring true. Kudos to Hoffman for a riveting performance.
Gambling movies (The Cincinnati Kid, The Hustler) have by and large ignored the addiction angle. This film delivers- in spades.
Fairly straightforward, predictable, with a few very good performances.
cs1006 June 2003
The movie ("based" on a true story - how much of it is real, and how much is invented?) portrays the descent of Dan Mahoney, an obsessive gambler who, like all of us, has "a public life, a private life, and a secret life".
Dan's public life is that of a mid-level account manager at a Toronto bank, which gives him access to money he skims and shuffles around from his clients, in order to feed his gambling habit. In his private life, he is dating a rather simple-minded fellow bank employee. And in his secret life, Dan jets off to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, wagering and eventually always losing millions of dollars. His addiction is such that his secret life eventually subsumes his other lives, although (according to the epilogue) not fatally.
One of the problems with this movie is the persona of Dan Mahoney. Evidently, remaining true to the original, Dan is an introverted, uncommunicative, shy, tradition-oriented Canadian of reserved British nature. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives a very good performance as Dan, conveying his emotion in a very subtle, controlled manner. However, it does not create much opportunity for exploring Dan's inner thoughts and motivations - these must be surmised by the viewer. Additionally, the director chose to tell Dan's story in a very straightforward manner, rather than employing some of the more powerful tools of cinema (symbolism, flashbacks, alternative viewpoints, etc.). Yes, there is a scene of Dan witnessing a high-roller that is later repeated, this time with Dan as the high roller, and at another point Dan thinks he sees himself watching him gamble, but for the most part the film proceeds in a documentary-like fashion.
The best performance is delivered by John Hurt, as a Satan-like Atlantic City casino boss. However, Minnie Driver's character of Belinda, Dan's girlfriend, is one-dimensional and is never developed.
The film does trigger thoughts about the nature of addiction (from both sides, the addict and the enabler), as well as what people do when they are in a situation well over their heads. In the case of someone like Dan Mahoney, they just cannot stop. Hopefully, this will inspire the rest of us to exercise more self-control, before the police are forced to act.
Dan's public life is that of a mid-level account manager at a Toronto bank, which gives him access to money he skims and shuffles around from his clients, in order to feed his gambling habit. In his private life, he is dating a rather simple-minded fellow bank employee. And in his secret life, Dan jets off to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, wagering and eventually always losing millions of dollars. His addiction is such that his secret life eventually subsumes his other lives, although (according to the epilogue) not fatally.
One of the problems with this movie is the persona of Dan Mahoney. Evidently, remaining true to the original, Dan is an introverted, uncommunicative, shy, tradition-oriented Canadian of reserved British nature. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives a very good performance as Dan, conveying his emotion in a very subtle, controlled manner. However, it does not create much opportunity for exploring Dan's inner thoughts and motivations - these must be surmised by the viewer. Additionally, the director chose to tell Dan's story in a very straightforward manner, rather than employing some of the more powerful tools of cinema (symbolism, flashbacks, alternative viewpoints, etc.). Yes, there is a scene of Dan witnessing a high-roller that is later repeated, this time with Dan as the high roller, and at another point Dan thinks he sees himself watching him gamble, but for the most part the film proceeds in a documentary-like fashion.
The best performance is delivered by John Hurt, as a Satan-like Atlantic City casino boss. However, Minnie Driver's character of Belinda, Dan's girlfriend, is one-dimensional and is never developed.
The film does trigger thoughts about the nature of addiction (from both sides, the addict and the enabler), as well as what people do when they are in a situation well over their heads. In the case of someone like Dan Mahoney, they just cannot stop. Hopefully, this will inspire the rest of us to exercise more self-control, before the police are forced to act.
Truly excellent
blanche-27 January 2008
In "Owning Mahowny," Philip Seymour Hoffman proved before his Oscar win to be one of the great actors of his generation, playing a compulsive gambler who embezzles millions from his employer, a bank. Dracula is in charge of the blood bank.
Mahowny is a fascinating character. He's a cheap slob who drives an old car. Though he loves his girlfriend (Minnie Driver), he hasn't confided in her. In fact, he lies to her, as he lies to everyone. His god is gambling -- not money, just gambling. As Frank Perlin (Maury Chaykin), one of the guys who takes his action attests, "He just wants to have the money to lose."
We watch Mahowny get in deeper and deeper, creating false loans and stealing from his clients. He becomes a VIP at an Atlantic City casino where he is given the best of everything and offered even more, but he's not going to do anything that takes away from his time at the tables. Unbeknownst to him, the Feds are interested in some of his associates and become curious about this Mahowny guy, thinking he may be in on a drug racket.
This movie will keep you hooked throughout. Hoffman is brilliant and even sports a Canadian accent (the film was made there and the real Mahowny is Canadian). Hoffman comes from my home town, and as we are close to Canada, he is familiar with the accent.
The rest of the acting is uniformly good, with the standout being the remarkable John Hurt as the casino owner who wants Mahowny to keep throwing money at the casino and will do anything to keep him there. The insight into the gambling world is amazing, and may keep you away from the tables the next time you're in Vegas or Atlantic City.
Mahowny is a fascinating character. He's a cheap slob who drives an old car. Though he loves his girlfriend (Minnie Driver), he hasn't confided in her. In fact, he lies to her, as he lies to everyone. His god is gambling -- not money, just gambling. As Frank Perlin (Maury Chaykin), one of the guys who takes his action attests, "He just wants to have the money to lose."
We watch Mahowny get in deeper and deeper, creating false loans and stealing from his clients. He becomes a VIP at an Atlantic City casino where he is given the best of everything and offered even more, but he's not going to do anything that takes away from his time at the tables. Unbeknownst to him, the Feds are interested in some of his associates and become curious about this Mahowny guy, thinking he may be in on a drug racket.
This movie will keep you hooked throughout. Hoffman is brilliant and even sports a Canadian accent (the film was made there and the real Mahowny is Canadian). Hoffman comes from my home town, and as we are close to Canada, he is familiar with the accent.
The rest of the acting is uniformly good, with the standout being the remarkable John Hurt as the casino owner who wants Mahowny to keep throwing money at the casino and will do anything to keep him there. The insight into the gambling world is amazing, and may keep you away from the tables the next time you're in Vegas or Atlantic City.
A movie about gambling addiction
phd_travel3 February 2015
This is a well done true story movie about gambling addiction the fraud on the Canadian bank is secondary. It's not theatrical in the depiction of the gambling and it's quite real life.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman gives an understated performance. Sometimes the mumbling can't be understood but the addiction is convincing. It's so understated that it's more believable and painful to watch him give everything back to the house. Minnie Driver with her strange wig is quite a sympathetic girlfriend. The Faustian casino manager played well by John Hurt.
Overall worth a watch.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman gives an understated performance. Sometimes the mumbling can't be understood but the addiction is convincing. It's so understated that it's more believable and painful to watch him give everything back to the house. Minnie Driver with her strange wig is quite a sympathetic girlfriend. The Faustian casino manager played well by John Hurt.
Overall worth a watch.
the perfect representation of gambling
Evil_Will_Hunting12 August 2003
Few films have captured so accurately the true nature of gambling as has Owning Mahowny. First there was Air Bud. Then there was Air Bud 2. And now this, the final installment in the triumvirate of films about dashed dreams and unfortunate morals. Not that these films were all about gambling per se, but that they evoked it in spirit. For just like the act of gambling itself, or indeed, not unlike the Air Bud movies, Owning Mahowny seems enticing at first, that is, when you and your friends are just planning to see it, joking that you might strike big, that this might be the one movie that comes out of nowhere to surprise you, but then from the moment you enter the theatre, every time you give this movie a chance, it's just one bad hand after the other, until eventually you are completely numb to it, and you stop paying attention to your wife, and you start cutting out of work early, and you no longer enjoy anything again in life anymore because all you want is your Owning Mahowny. You must have your Owning Mahowny. "Just let me watch five more minutes," you say, "and I swear it will get good. It's due." Which is a shame really, because the movie just really blows.
In fact, they should have called it Blowing Mahowny, or Owning Baloney, or some reasonable facsimile--only then the ace detective on the trail of Mahowny would not be able to wittily observe that "Mahowny" spells "How many?" when the letters are rearranged and a question mark is inserted, which is a lazy anagram at best as it only requires two permutations. A much better one is "O Man Why?" as in "O man why, o why upon why o man did this movie even get made?" or "O man why didn't I save that $7 for Vegas where I could be far better entertained by an hour and a half at the nickel slots?"
Nothing against Mr. Hoffman, who is one of the finest, most important actors of our day, but this movie has nothing to hold him up. It is not worthy of his talents. The dialogue is forced and hackneyed, never fully deciding if it wants to be moralistic or sympathetic, but always settling on being just plain crappy. The protagonist is never shown to have a single redeeming quality, except possibly in the end, when he tells his girlfriend "I love you too" and kisses her hand, and this is supposed to make up for the fact that she has always come in a strong second to his addiction. Apparently in real life they got married eventually, but the characters in this movie could never have gotten married in more than a postscript, because they were just too ingenuine, and the movie omits any moments that could have explained why on earth they ever got together in the first place.
There was something maniacal about the casino boss who was so inviting to Mahowny but at the same time stood to gain millions of dollars from him and completely ruin him. A better movie would have explored this, but this one was content to revel in his clown-like antics. Elsewhere, the token black floorman and the Italian bookie were an insult to multicultural casting. And what was with the suspicious co-worker at the bank, or even more so, the scruffy cop who tracked Mahowny down? He was clearly a ripoff of Brad Pitt's scruffy cop from Seven, only in that movie, Pitt was chasing someone actually scruff-worthy. No, this movie would have been better suited with a Fedora-clad Tom Hanks in a fake Boston accent. Perhaps these characters were all based on real-life scruffy or ethnic people, but this movie didn't convince me as much.
In the end, on a scale of 100, with 100 being Air Bud 2, I give Owning Mahowny a 20. And sure, maybe 20's good enough for some people--even Mahowny himself. But me, I just want my money back.
In fact, they should have called it Blowing Mahowny, or Owning Baloney, or some reasonable facsimile--only then the ace detective on the trail of Mahowny would not be able to wittily observe that "Mahowny" spells "How many?" when the letters are rearranged and a question mark is inserted, which is a lazy anagram at best as it only requires two permutations. A much better one is "O Man Why?" as in "O man why, o why upon why o man did this movie even get made?" or "O man why didn't I save that $7 for Vegas where I could be far better entertained by an hour and a half at the nickel slots?"
Nothing against Mr. Hoffman, who is one of the finest, most important actors of our day, but this movie has nothing to hold him up. It is not worthy of his talents. The dialogue is forced and hackneyed, never fully deciding if it wants to be moralistic or sympathetic, but always settling on being just plain crappy. The protagonist is never shown to have a single redeeming quality, except possibly in the end, when he tells his girlfriend "I love you too" and kisses her hand, and this is supposed to make up for the fact that she has always come in a strong second to his addiction. Apparently in real life they got married eventually, but the characters in this movie could never have gotten married in more than a postscript, because they were just too ingenuine, and the movie omits any moments that could have explained why on earth they ever got together in the first place.
There was something maniacal about the casino boss who was so inviting to Mahowny but at the same time stood to gain millions of dollars from him and completely ruin him. A better movie would have explored this, but this one was content to revel in his clown-like antics. Elsewhere, the token black floorman and the Italian bookie were an insult to multicultural casting. And what was with the suspicious co-worker at the bank, or even more so, the scruffy cop who tracked Mahowny down? He was clearly a ripoff of Brad Pitt's scruffy cop from Seven, only in that movie, Pitt was chasing someone actually scruff-worthy. No, this movie would have been better suited with a Fedora-clad Tom Hanks in a fake Boston accent. Perhaps these characters were all based on real-life scruffy or ethnic people, but this movie didn't convince me as much.
In the end, on a scale of 100, with 100 being Air Bud 2, I give Owning Mahowny a 20. And sure, maybe 20's good enough for some people--even Mahowny himself. But me, I just want my money back.
Superb portrayal of a compulsive gambler
harry_tk_yung1 August 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers
This movie is based on a true story that happened in Toronto in the early eighties, about a branch bank manager called Dan Mahowny who embezzled ten million dollars to pay for his gambling debts. For those of us who happened to be living in Toronto at that time, this movie offers something extra. What's more, watching this movie in a relatively small community cinema in Toronto feels almost like going to a party. You hear roars of laughter breaking out at unlikely place such as: `This guy makes twenty-two thousand dollars Canadian', or `We meant to treat you at Swiss Chalet'.
Philip Seymour Hoffman shines again, after The Talented Mr. Ripley and Red Dragon, in both of which played relatively minor supporting roles but left a great impression. Here, his delivers a mesmerizing portrayal of a compulsive gambler who would otherwise be a perfectly normal, caring man. His performance in the last gamble scene when he starts by beating Atlantic City but ends up losing his shirt (so what else is new?) is worth the price of the admission.
Minnie Driver (Goodwill Hunting, An Ideal Husband) plays a normal woman who makes a `normal assumption' that when her boyfriend takes her to Vegas to stay in a plush suite, it must be for the purpose of marrying her there. On her performance, maybe I can draw a culinary analogy: the most challenging thing sometimes is not making fancy dishes with unpronounceable names, but fixing up simple daily dishes like an omelet or a pancake and make it stand out. This is Driver playing Belinda, a very ordinary woman who happens to love her man, even when turns out that he is sentenced to six years in prison. Despite the ridiculous wig (which everybody mentioned), she manages to make something out of this role that offers little opportunities. This is why Driver is one of my most favorite actresses.
John Hurt's performance as the charismatic casino boss Victor Voss can only be described as classic. Before seeing this movie, I could not imagine him in such as role but after seeing it, I could not think of anyone else (including the great De Niro) who can do it better.
The film also pokes fun at manipulative bankers, famish casino operators, gullible bank auditors and over-cautious policemen. These, with other humorous touches, generate chuckles of mirth throughout.
One last thing: there's a comment in the dialogue to the effect that not long ago (counting back from the time of the story), you would need the bank's (your employer) permission to get married. That is no joke, but absolutely true. I once worked there.
This movie is based on a true story that happened in Toronto in the early eighties, about a branch bank manager called Dan Mahowny who embezzled ten million dollars to pay for his gambling debts. For those of us who happened to be living in Toronto at that time, this movie offers something extra. What's more, watching this movie in a relatively small community cinema in Toronto feels almost like going to a party. You hear roars of laughter breaking out at unlikely place such as: `This guy makes twenty-two thousand dollars Canadian', or `We meant to treat you at Swiss Chalet'.
Philip Seymour Hoffman shines again, after The Talented Mr. Ripley and Red Dragon, in both of which played relatively minor supporting roles but left a great impression. Here, his delivers a mesmerizing portrayal of a compulsive gambler who would otherwise be a perfectly normal, caring man. His performance in the last gamble scene when he starts by beating Atlantic City but ends up losing his shirt (so what else is new?) is worth the price of the admission.
Minnie Driver (Goodwill Hunting, An Ideal Husband) plays a normal woman who makes a `normal assumption' that when her boyfriend takes her to Vegas to stay in a plush suite, it must be for the purpose of marrying her there. On her performance, maybe I can draw a culinary analogy: the most challenging thing sometimes is not making fancy dishes with unpronounceable names, but fixing up simple daily dishes like an omelet or a pancake and make it stand out. This is Driver playing Belinda, a very ordinary woman who happens to love her man, even when turns out that he is sentenced to six years in prison. Despite the ridiculous wig (which everybody mentioned), she manages to make something out of this role that offers little opportunities. This is why Driver is one of my most favorite actresses.
John Hurt's performance as the charismatic casino boss Victor Voss can only be described as classic. Before seeing this movie, I could not imagine him in such as role but after seeing it, I could not think of anyone else (including the great De Niro) who can do it better.
The film also pokes fun at manipulative bankers, famish casino operators, gullible bank auditors and over-cautious policemen. These, with other humorous touches, generate chuckles of mirth throughout.
One last thing: there's a comment in the dialogue to the effect that not long ago (counting back from the time of the story), you would need the bank's (your employer) permission to get married. That is no joke, but absolutely true. I once worked there.
The interesting story of a terrible person.
planktonrules18 March 2018
"Owning Mahowny" is a hard film for me to love...much like "Catch Me If You Can" or "The Polka King". This is because all three are true stories about sociopaths who spent much of their lives hurting, stealing and lying to people...and making a movie about them just gives these awful people more notoriety. I certainly would hope they wouldn't benefit financially from the films and I hate to imagine the films making them heroes in the eyes of the viewers....but I fear both are indeed the case for these god-awful people.
This story is about a man who committed the largest single person bank fraud in Canadian history...$10,000,000. The film begins with Mahowny* (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) deeply in dept for gambling...and he soon makes it worse by trying to gamble his way out of the problem. To do this, he is playing fast and loose with the bank's customers as well as creating dummy corporations to help hide this!
A part of the story is about the culpability of the casinos in the embezzlement. The film contends that in many ways the casinos (embodied in the form of a sleazy guy played by John Hurt) should have known that a man making a very modest salary could NOT legally be gambling millions. And, they profited by his repeated trips to Vegas and Atlantic City...so there wasn't a lot of incentive to get him to stop or to alert authorities.
The film features some nice acting and is an understated sort of film...with little glitz despite the locations involved. There also are no big surprises...as the IMDB page talks all about the embezzlement and the film never leads up to it...he's already spending money he doesn't have when the story begins. So there's little in the way of suspense...and the ending was incredibly anti-climactic. Despite this, it's interesting and worth seeing...though far from a must-see.
By the way, the DVD does NOT have closed captions for the hearing impaired.
This story is about a man who committed the largest single person bank fraud in Canadian history...$10,000,000. The film begins with Mahowny* (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) deeply in dept for gambling...and he soon makes it worse by trying to gamble his way out of the problem. To do this, he is playing fast and loose with the bank's customers as well as creating dummy corporations to help hide this!
A part of the story is about the culpability of the casinos in the embezzlement. The film contends that in many ways the casinos (embodied in the form of a sleazy guy played by John Hurt) should have known that a man making a very modest salary could NOT legally be gambling millions. And, they profited by his repeated trips to Vegas and Atlantic City...so there wasn't a lot of incentive to get him to stop or to alert authorities.
The film features some nice acting and is an understated sort of film...with little glitz despite the locations involved. There also are no big surprises...as the IMDB page talks all about the embezzlement and the film never leads up to it...he's already spending money he doesn't have when the story begins. So there's little in the way of suspense...and the ending was incredibly anti-climactic. Despite this, it's interesting and worth seeing...though far from a must-see.
By the way, the DVD does NOT have closed captions for the hearing impaired.
Horrible accents ruin an otherwise decent film
XB-114 June 2005
This movie would have been far more convincing if Philip Seymour Hoffman and Minnie Driver hadn't opted for the worst kind of stereotypical Canadian accents. I'm Canadian and the first time they opened their mouths I couldn't help but laugh. I half expected that they would proceed to spend the rest of the movie hanging around Tim Hortons (a popular Canadian doughnut chain) and Swiss Chalet (ubiquitous Canadian restaurant specializing in chicken dishes) Hardly anyone I know ever says 'oot' for 'out' and 'aboot' for 'about'. They should have just copied the way everyone else was talking, since most of the rest of the cast was Canadian anyway. The story was compelling enough, but anyone who applauds the "realistic" accents used by the two leads has never been to Canada. Don't you just love it when a Canadian decides to rant a about how little non-Canadians know about Canada?
Owning and Owing
sol-14 July 2017
Based on the true story of a Canadian bank executive who defrauded millions from his bank through fake loans and cheating clients, 'Owning Mahoney' spins a fascinating portrait of a man smart enough to get ahead in life but constricted by a gambling addiction. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is stunning to watch as the hapless protagonist, so high on the thrill of betting that whenever he has a win, all he wants to do is gamble it away. Even more impressive is John Hurt as unscrupulous Atlantic City casino manager, torn between pitying Hoffman's addiction and admiring his tenacity. While some of the actions that Hurt takes to ensure that Hoffman keeps gambling at his establishment are unethical, Hurt often hesitates, pauses and considers; like Hoffman, he is addicted, only his addiction is to pocketing Hoffman's winnings, and Hurt gives us enough of a glimpse beneath his exterior to show that he has qualms about exploiting Hoffman's endless funds. Some of the technical details here are a little hard to keep track of and Minnie Driver has a very underwritten character as Hoffman's girlfriend who sticks by him thick and thin despite him never once acting romantic; generally speaking though, this is a pretty compelling film when one considers how obvious the film's messages are about the futility of gambling ('house always wins') and the dangers of fraud.
A tour de force. One of the best of 2003
gregsrants9 February 2004
Every once and while, film buffs get a treat. Amongst all the crash and burn violence and volume of the summer blockbusters, every once and while, a movie will sneak under the radar and capture our attention.
Owning Mahowny didn't get much of a theatrical release. Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, the film never played on more than 24 screens and earned only a fraction of the minute $10 million budget. But here is your chance to find it in the lonely O' section of your local DVD retailer.
The movie is based on the true story of Dan Mahowny (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), a mid-level bank official that has a gambling problem. Dan will bet on almost anything and his addiction would result in a financial hole not easily climbed. It is here that Dan begins to use his title at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to fraudulently steal money for week-end trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Over his eighteen month spree, Dan was able to gamble over $10 million of the banks dollars.
The film follows Dan through the initial stages of his addiction and careful details his interaction with Vegas hotel staff, co-workers and his girlfriend as he feeds his desires while keeping his compulsion secret. As he falls deeper into the casino's pockets, the hotel owners fall deeper in love with his freelance style, and Dan is soon treated with celebrity like status upon every visit. However, eventually, the police begin to piece the missing money together and the result is the uncovering of the biggest one-man bank fraud to ever hit the Canadian borders.
Owning Mahowny is a terrific film largely in part to the incredible acting performance by Hoffman. As Dan Mahowny, Hoffman is able to portray an insatiable gambler who is ignorant to his surroundings when at the card table. His stare at the table and lack of emotional response, either for the good or the bad, is incredibly parlayed by Hoffman's sweat and stature. A scene where Mahowny takes his girlfriend to Vegas but quickly ignores and forgets her once he is in front of a blackjack table is unforgettable.
Owning Mahowny is not without its good supporting cast either, including John Hurt (Alien) as the Casino owner that takes a shine to Mahowny and Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) as his girlfriend. Both show us the contrast between someone who doesn't want to know how he does it and loves him for it and the other who can't seem to get to know the man she loves.
Like 1999's Rogue Trader, it is scary to see the loopholes exploited by bank or financial institution employees in these true stories brought to the big screen. It both movies, you see how one man with the access to large amounts of money can easily get over their own head and dig themselves deeper and deeper into a whole, yet they are always thinking they are one bet or one trade away from righting the wrong.
Owning Mahowny was one of the best films of 2003, and should not be missed. Storytelling doesn't get any better than this.
Owning Mahowny didn't get much of a theatrical release. Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, the film never played on more than 24 screens and earned only a fraction of the minute $10 million budget. But here is your chance to find it in the lonely O' section of your local DVD retailer.
The movie is based on the true story of Dan Mahowny (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), a mid-level bank official that has a gambling problem. Dan will bet on almost anything and his addiction would result in a financial hole not easily climbed. It is here that Dan begins to use his title at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to fraudulently steal money for week-end trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Over his eighteen month spree, Dan was able to gamble over $10 million of the banks dollars.
The film follows Dan through the initial stages of his addiction and careful details his interaction with Vegas hotel staff, co-workers and his girlfriend as he feeds his desires while keeping his compulsion secret. As he falls deeper into the casino's pockets, the hotel owners fall deeper in love with his freelance style, and Dan is soon treated with celebrity like status upon every visit. However, eventually, the police begin to piece the missing money together and the result is the uncovering of the biggest one-man bank fraud to ever hit the Canadian borders.
Owning Mahowny is a terrific film largely in part to the incredible acting performance by Hoffman. As Dan Mahowny, Hoffman is able to portray an insatiable gambler who is ignorant to his surroundings when at the card table. His stare at the table and lack of emotional response, either for the good or the bad, is incredibly parlayed by Hoffman's sweat and stature. A scene where Mahowny takes his girlfriend to Vegas but quickly ignores and forgets her once he is in front of a blackjack table is unforgettable.
Owning Mahowny is not without its good supporting cast either, including John Hurt (Alien) as the Casino owner that takes a shine to Mahowny and Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) as his girlfriend. Both show us the contrast between someone who doesn't want to know how he does it and loves him for it and the other who can't seem to get to know the man she loves.
Like 1999's Rogue Trader, it is scary to see the loopholes exploited by bank or financial institution employees in these true stories brought to the big screen. It both movies, you see how one man with the access to large amounts of money can easily get over their own head and dig themselves deeper and deeper into a whole, yet they are always thinking they are one bet or one trade away from righting the wrong.
Owning Mahowny was one of the best films of 2003, and should not be missed. Storytelling doesn't get any better than this.
Wry tale of a compulsive gambler.
senortuffy7 November 2003
This isn't the movie I was expecting. From the trailer and the fact that Philip Seymour Hoffman was playing the main character, I was expecting more of a comedy. But this is a pretty sad story about a banking executive in Toronto who steals money from his employer to feed his gambling binges.
Hoffman does an excellent job of portraying Dan Mahowny. He has the blank look and nervous demeanor of a problem gambler. He can't look people in the eye and is always making up excuses to his friends and fiance. What drives him to gamble isn't clear, but he's got it bad.
Minnie Driver plays his girlfriend, and frankly, I just don't like her acting style - it always seems like she's trying to imitate Cher. John Hurt is excellent as the casino manager in Atlantic City who caters to his whale while knowing inside that he's got Mahowny in the palm of his hand. He's both cynical and in a sort of sick way humorous.
There isn't a happy ending to this film, no miracle run of luck. You just see Mahowny getting in deeper and deeper. And having gambled myself, it's depressing to see someone play as stupidly as this guy did. There is no rhyme or reason to what he does, he just bets crazy and plows whatever winnings he has right back in.
The acting is good as far as the two leads, Hoffman and Hurt. The casino scenes are very fake, however - they could have done a better job of making it look real. I'm not sure what the moral of the story is, other than gambling isn't good for you, but it's an interesting character study nonetheless.
Hoffman does an excellent job of portraying Dan Mahowny. He has the blank look and nervous demeanor of a problem gambler. He can't look people in the eye and is always making up excuses to his friends and fiance. What drives him to gamble isn't clear, but he's got it bad.
Minnie Driver plays his girlfriend, and frankly, I just don't like her acting style - it always seems like she's trying to imitate Cher. John Hurt is excellent as the casino manager in Atlantic City who caters to his whale while knowing inside that he's got Mahowny in the palm of his hand. He's both cynical and in a sort of sick way humorous.
There isn't a happy ending to this film, no miracle run of luck. You just see Mahowny getting in deeper and deeper. And having gambled myself, it's depressing to see someone play as stupidly as this guy did. There is no rhyme or reason to what he does, he just bets crazy and plows whatever winnings he has right back in.
The acting is good as far as the two leads, Hoffman and Hurt. The casino scenes are very fake, however - they could have done a better job of making it look real. I'm not sure what the moral of the story is, other than gambling isn't good for you, but it's an interesting character study nonetheless.
Unforgettable
horned_grebe11 March 2006
I'm not sure that it was a fantastic movie, but it really sticks with me. I gamble quite a bit too, and I regularly see Mahoney-like behaviours at the casino. The guy next to me the other day started with $200, then went up, in my eyes undeservingly, to about $2500, and finally lost it all in a matter of half an hour. The entire time completely without expression, like a gambler, like Mahoney. No matter what happens to a gambler in the short term, he knows that it is ephemeral. Unfortunately, the ephemeral losses are a bit bigger than the ephemeral wins, and the cumulative loss is what you are stuck with in the end.
I liked the way that Mahoney was so boring. As though the things that make life interesting for the average person and the things that make the average person interesting all pale in his eyes to the passionate communion that he has with the game.
I liked the way that Mahoney was so boring. As though the things that make life interesting for the average person and the things that make the average person interesting all pale in his eyes to the passionate communion that he has with the game.
Slow but fascinating
kirkbroadhurst15 January 2005
Perhaps you need to be a bit of a gambler to enjoy this movie, or to get the most out of it.
It isn't long, but it feels long. While a lot happens, Mahowny's lack of charisma makes the scenes seem very slow. His emotions are barely visible, if they even exist.
When one gambles, a win is only a thrill for a split second before the next bet needs to be considered. Mahowny obviously gets a thrill from gambling (he keeps going back and gambling larger amounts), but he doesn't smile, he doesn't curse, he doesn't seem to enjoy himself, he just continues gambling.
Whlie watching a friend told me that the film was set in the 40s. Not believable, because of the type of cars, the metal detectors, security cameras and so forth, but considering that it's not a modern story does add another dimension.
It's not happy, it's not sad. Thankfully it's not an emotionally manipulative film at all. Instead it's just an interesting story, well presented and acted. Well worth seeing (when you're not looking for a quick thrill).
It isn't long, but it feels long. While a lot happens, Mahowny's lack of charisma makes the scenes seem very slow. His emotions are barely visible, if they even exist.
When one gambles, a win is only a thrill for a split second before the next bet needs to be considered. Mahowny obviously gets a thrill from gambling (he keeps going back and gambling larger amounts), but he doesn't smile, he doesn't curse, he doesn't seem to enjoy himself, he just continues gambling.
Whlie watching a friend told me that the film was set in the 40s. Not believable, because of the type of cars, the metal detectors, security cameras and so forth, but considering that it's not a modern story does add another dimension.
It's not happy, it's not sad. Thankfully it's not an emotionally manipulative film at all. Instead it's just an interesting story, well presented and acted. Well worth seeing (when you're not looking for a quick thrill).
A Nutshell Review: Owning Mahowny
DICK STEEL1 December 2010
I suppose if anyone locally wants a cautionary tale about the ills of obsessive and compulsive gambling, they can look no further than Owning Mahowny, which is based on the true story of Canadian Brian Molony, who had embezzled more than 10 million dollars from the bank he works for, to fund his primary vice. It's a modest little film with functional production values that go straight to the point, where you can tell that director Richard Kwietniowski probably didn't have plenty of cash to splurge on recreating glitzy sets, but that actually is very much with the psyche of the character played by Philip Seymour Hoffman.
We have our fair share of white collar criminals from clerks to the top of the food chain such as the chief financial officer of a major local brewery whose addiction and crime committed was fairly similar to the one portrayed here, with the use of privileged position to get credit, or manipulate something out of nothing from the abuse of procedural loopholes and basic level trust, and being treated like the whales that casinos roll out the red carpet for. Up until this day we have fraud cases from charities to government linked companies, so it goes to show that there are still those out there who aren't savvy to these crooks, or just plain complacent about it, adopting the "it can't happen here" attitude.
Hoffman plays Dan Mahowny, a frugal man who lives modestly despite his recent promotion at a bank he works in, and being the representative behind large customer accounts. There's one thing that his employer doesn't know, and that's his gambling habit, which grows into a problem and an obsession while they recognize him as a whiz. We observe how he graduates from small time gambling on sports scores, finding himself owing money to the gambling joint operated by small timer Frank Perlin (Maury Chaykin), before mounting debts forces Dan to try to bail himself out through the bank's loopholes, and the abuse of his trusted position in the organization to get credit extended to phantom accounts he creates. His non threatening demeanour also allows for gaining the trust of auditors even, the kind whom you want to slap around for not doing their job thoroughly and conscientiously.
In any case, through fraudulent means of obtaining hard cash, Dan fuels a growing problem, and graduates into making weekend trips across the border to Atlantic City, where he can gamble almost incognito until his spending, and losing, habit catches the attention of the casino's manager Victor Foss (John Hurt) and herein lies the other half of the fun watching this film, that of the strategies employed by casinos to hook their whales, and to ensure their continued return through whatever means possible. Accommodation gets upgraded, on the house food and drinks, and even women become part of the heady game to ensure the long term patronage of their best customer.
When I was in Vegas, a driver once told me that it's an illusion to think that you can win big at the casinos. All you have to do is to look at the size of the hotels and overheads it has to cover, and you'd know whether you'd have a remote chance of winning. If everyone can do it all the time, the shop might as well close, rather than to rake in record profits. It's a mathematical game where in the long run, the house is bound to win statistically, so to anyone seemingly winning at the tables, statistics is on the casino's side to win, so long as they employ strategies to keep you around through whatever means possible. And some of these are portrayed in the film, others which you can find out should you step into one.
The direction and story in Owning Mahowny is quite textbook, where the protagonist finds himself losing his girlfriend (Minnie Driver) and his soul to an addiction he refuses to admit. Bigger lies have to be told to cover past lies, and the cover ups just mount as one gets bolder in committing offense after offense to cover the previous losses with plans becoming more daring, and needless to say, riskier. In some ways the sparse decor in some scenes serve to put our attention on the characters themselves, and here Philip Seymour Hoffman shines outright in his portrayal of a troubled man in very nuanced fashion, making him very believable as someone with problems he has no idea how to solve and get out of.
It's not always the glitz and the glamour, which are really short lived and rolled out so long as you have the cash to splurge. Otherwise it's the harsh realities of life that set back in. I'm recommending this film to anyone who knows someone with a gambling problem, or are interested to see just how easy it sometimes is to get away with fraudulent activities within companies with lax processes or auditors (you have to admit their job isn't easy to fish out tracks which are likely covered up, unlike in a film for dramatic purposes), and a lack of proper checks and balances executed by a more competent team. The problems and issues here are still real and relevant up until today, in different countries.
We have our fair share of white collar criminals from clerks to the top of the food chain such as the chief financial officer of a major local brewery whose addiction and crime committed was fairly similar to the one portrayed here, with the use of privileged position to get credit, or manipulate something out of nothing from the abuse of procedural loopholes and basic level trust, and being treated like the whales that casinos roll out the red carpet for. Up until this day we have fraud cases from charities to government linked companies, so it goes to show that there are still those out there who aren't savvy to these crooks, or just plain complacent about it, adopting the "it can't happen here" attitude.
Hoffman plays Dan Mahowny, a frugal man who lives modestly despite his recent promotion at a bank he works in, and being the representative behind large customer accounts. There's one thing that his employer doesn't know, and that's his gambling habit, which grows into a problem and an obsession while they recognize him as a whiz. We observe how he graduates from small time gambling on sports scores, finding himself owing money to the gambling joint operated by small timer Frank Perlin (Maury Chaykin), before mounting debts forces Dan to try to bail himself out through the bank's loopholes, and the abuse of his trusted position in the organization to get credit extended to phantom accounts he creates. His non threatening demeanour also allows for gaining the trust of auditors even, the kind whom you want to slap around for not doing their job thoroughly and conscientiously.
In any case, through fraudulent means of obtaining hard cash, Dan fuels a growing problem, and graduates into making weekend trips across the border to Atlantic City, where he can gamble almost incognito until his spending, and losing, habit catches the attention of the casino's manager Victor Foss (John Hurt) and herein lies the other half of the fun watching this film, that of the strategies employed by casinos to hook their whales, and to ensure their continued return through whatever means possible. Accommodation gets upgraded, on the house food and drinks, and even women become part of the heady game to ensure the long term patronage of their best customer.
When I was in Vegas, a driver once told me that it's an illusion to think that you can win big at the casinos. All you have to do is to look at the size of the hotels and overheads it has to cover, and you'd know whether you'd have a remote chance of winning. If everyone can do it all the time, the shop might as well close, rather than to rake in record profits. It's a mathematical game where in the long run, the house is bound to win statistically, so to anyone seemingly winning at the tables, statistics is on the casino's side to win, so long as they employ strategies to keep you around through whatever means possible. And some of these are portrayed in the film, others which you can find out should you step into one.
The direction and story in Owning Mahowny is quite textbook, where the protagonist finds himself losing his girlfriend (Minnie Driver) and his soul to an addiction he refuses to admit. Bigger lies have to be told to cover past lies, and the cover ups just mount as one gets bolder in committing offense after offense to cover the previous losses with plans becoming more daring, and needless to say, riskier. In some ways the sparse decor in some scenes serve to put our attention on the characters themselves, and here Philip Seymour Hoffman shines outright in his portrayal of a troubled man in very nuanced fashion, making him very believable as someone with problems he has no idea how to solve and get out of.
It's not always the glitz and the glamour, which are really short lived and rolled out so long as you have the cash to splurge. Otherwise it's the harsh realities of life that set back in. I'm recommending this film to anyone who knows someone with a gambling problem, or are interested to see just how easy it sometimes is to get away with fraudulent activities within companies with lax processes or auditors (you have to admit their job isn't easy to fish out tracks which are likely covered up, unlike in a film for dramatic purposes), and a lack of proper checks and balances executed by a more competent team. The problems and issues here are still real and relevant up until today, in different countries.
Philip Seymour Hoffman is great, but the film is kind of a bore
zetes27 December 2003
A straightforward film about a gambling addict, Dan Mahowny, beautifully played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Yet, as good as Hoffman is in the film, saying that he gives a great performance is like saying the ice in my freezer is cold. Philip Seymour Hoffman always gives a great performance. So what else does Owning Mahowny have to offer? Well, there are several other good performances. Minnie Driver dresses down to play a Canadian bank teller from the early 1980s. She is quite good, but it's not an especially interesting role and I have to wonder why she would uglify herself with that awful hairdo for a movie that focuses almost entirely on the lead. If she was looking to win awards, she came to the wrong place. Maury Chaykin, one of my favorite Canadian character actors, is very good as Mahowny's bookie. I also liked Chris Collins, who plays a young man in Atlantic City who begins as a nobody working for Mahowny's favorite casino. When Mahowny shows a fondness for the kid, his boss pulls him up in the world and has him become the gambler's personal assistant. The manager of the casino is played by John Hurt. I don't know if I like him. He seems so evil at times I expected him to tap his fingers together and exclaim `Excellent' in a Mr. Burns voice. The most interesting part of the film, outside of Hoffman's performance, is the way Hurt is portrayed as Mahowny's shadow. When Mahowny is losing, Hurt is winning, and vice versa. He's as addicted to Mahowny's gambling as much as Mahowny. Other than that, the film offers few if any insights. See it for Hoffman's performance if you're a fan. Or just catch any of his other pictures. He's good in everything. 7/10.
wasn't impressed...
jfloyd12 May 2003
"Owning Mahowney", while perhaps true to real-life story it is based on, was not that interesting a film. I didn't feel any reason to care about Hoffman's character (Mahowney) or even Driver's character that much. The one interesting angle about the film is that it presents casinos with as little glitz or luxury as I've ever seen in a film. The drama is fairly subtle and by the end, I was hoping that Mahowney would get caught, just to end the film. Ultimately, I was bored by this film. If you like movies about gambling, I think you will be disappointed. If you like movies where Minnie Driver is wearing a bad wig, you might like it.
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