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Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Alex Shaffer ... see more see more... , Melanie Lynskey , Burt Young , Margo Martindale , David Thompson

Paul Giamatti headlines writer/director Tom McCarthy's comedy drama centering on a beleaguered attorney and part-time wrestling coach who schemes to keep his practice from going under by acting as the... read more read more... legal caretaker of an elderly client. Mike Flaherty (Giamatti) thinks he has discovered the perfect loophole to keep his practice in business. But his brilliant plan hits an unexpected hitch when his client's troubled grandson shows up looking for a place to stay. With his home life in turmoil and both of his careers in jeopardy, Mike quickly realizes that he'll have to get creative in order to find a way out of his current predicament. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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85% liked it

27,570 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

162 critics

R, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Tom McCarthy

Release Date: March 18, 2011

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DVD Release Date: August 23, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (2,180)

  • SirPant
    March 9, 2012
    SirPant
    I loved the Station Agent, so my expectations were quite high for this, Thomas McCarthy's third film as director. My expectations were met. Win Win has a great story, great script, with a great cast all putting in great performances. Paul Giamatti is a reliable actor and it was g... read morereat to see Bobby Cannavale teamed up with McCarthy again, he hasn't been this good since The Station Agent but I'm not sure why as he is a very funny guy. I was entertained through the film but the end scene made it just that little bit extra special in my opinion. It kept it real and basically says 'and there is nothing wrong with that'. A special film, overlooked but not for long I'd imagine, I think it will have its day on DVD.
  • cosmo313
    February 11, 2012
    cosmo313
    A down on his luck small time attorney and part time wrestling coach name Mike Flaherty comes up with a scheme to keep his world afloat by becoming the guardian of an aging and senile client...a job which gives him a decent amount of money on the side. He does this at first just ... read moreto save his ass temporarily, but then generally comes around and redeems himself by doing it for the right reasons. All of this is complicated when a teenage runaway shows up at his door, revealing himself to not only by the client's grandson (whom he's never met), but also a champion wrestler...another great thing Mike needs to make his life better.

    Of course there's big reveals, and things take a turn for the dramatic, but it all ends well and the characters gain the important life lessons that they need to from a situation like this. SImply put, each year has at least one feel good indie (or at least one that stands out), and for 2011, WIn Win is that film.

    There are some dramatic moments. and they really work, but what really makes this film a winner are the great characters, and the humor. There are multiple characters who really steal the show and ham it up, and that's not a bad thing at all in my eyes. Sure, Bobby Cannavale is a bit obnoxious here, but it is a good perforamnce. Giamatti of course delivers another finely observed role as Mike, Amy Ryan is nice as his wife, Jeffrey Tambor is pretty funny as the full time wrestling coach, and well, ya know waht? Everyone is good here. Alex Shaffer brings a lot of promise in his role as the wrestling runaway, and, in a smaller, but vital role, Melanie Lynskey really shines as Alex's deadbeat druggie mother. Heck, even the little kids in this movie are more than just tolerable. Awesome. Oh yeah, and Burt Young proves that the Rocky series is not the only place where he lets his sadly underappreciated talents shine.

    Well, if I seem to like this so much, then why only 4 stars? Well, I do like how, even though he has good intentions with it, Mike's scheme isn't entirely the nicest or morally proper thing in the world. Now, he's not portrayed as a sleazy shyster type of lawyer; he's a regular guy in a bad way, but still. I liked that, but the rest of the film is really pretty unoriginal and just a variation on a theme. It's well played, sure, but still, it's not all that remarkable, or really all that memorable.Plus, with all the swearing at kids during wrestling matches, some of this is rather unrealistic, and wouldn't be happening (at least not so obviously) in reality without consequences.

    I do really dig it though, and we need films like this to remind us not only of how great character actors in a caracter driven indie can be, but that without feel good movies, this world wold far less tolerable to deal with.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 4, 2012
    sanjurosamurai
    midnight in paris is the best comedy of 2011, but win win is probably the funniest. the film has laughs that are smart combined with a ton of heart, a compelling storyline, and wonderful performances from amy ryan and paul giamatti. my surprise film of the year.
  • fernandorafael
    December 20, 2011
    fernandorafael
    The latest film by indie darling Tom McCarthy (The Visitor, Up) is, to borrow a word from the title (and Charlie Sheen), "winning"Â?. Win Win is at the same time wholly original and refreshingly familiar. This sweetly comic independent dramedy features fantastic acting from Paul ... read moreGiamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale (hilarious) and Melanie Lynskey. It could've gone the sappy Blind Side route (a film with similar themes) but thankfully it didn't.
  • itsjustme2004
    October 30, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    Fantastic movie alert!!! After so many disappointing movies, once in a while we come across a gem like this one. This movie is very entertaining, witty, and wholeheartedly wonderful. Paul Giamatti just can't seem to make anything but "the best of the best" these days. I am assumi... read moreng it will get an Oscar nod or two....
  • CreedsDelight
    October 28, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    'Win Win' completely exceeded my already high expectations. There are so many aspects that make this film spectacular, first is the acting. Paul Giamatti headlines this film in a masterful, flawless, and emotionally touching performance. Amy Ryan was also quite solid as well as A... read morelex Shaffer and Melanie Lynskey. Writer/director Tom McCarthy ONCE AGAIN continues his well-established work of creating a fantastic human drama that people can honestly relate to because the characters are obviously under appreciated and the complete opposite of abnormal, which is nice for a change. The story is refreshingly honest as well as quite creative, and it is interesting to see it surrounding a part time high school wrestling coach and lawyer, all very original throughout, avoiding the normal film cliches. 'Win Win' is definitely a win as well as one of the most terrific films of the year. A delightful gem like this hardly ever comes around.
  • fb619846742
    October 12, 2011
    fb619846742
    A lovable, realistically portrayed low-key dramedy concerning a slightly over-the-hill floundering attorney (Paul Giamatti) who teaches wrestling at a local school on the side, and how he takes in one of his older client's (Burt Young - eyyy Paulie from "Rocky") grandson (Alex Sh... read moreaffer) after his client agrees to pay him to look over him. I like movies like this, because the relationships that take place in a small town like the one here (located in New Jersey) often interest me, and you could not find a better actor to play an everyday man than the brilliant Giamatti (one of my favorite actors). There are some problems with the film, notably some dry stretches and some occasional failed instances at humor, but the uniformly terrific acting (a Jeffrey Tambor sighting! Always a good thing) and firm realization of middle-class America is what keeps this thing ticking strong. More importantly, it is unquestionably a film for our time, being that we are in an economic struggle, and taking in strangers like the one this family does in this film speaks volumes to our undying sympathy and generosity. Granted, this happens rarely, but this movie displayed it in vivid, passionate fashion, and for that it garners an absolute recommendation.
  • fb100000059176003
    October 10, 2011
    fb100000059176003
    When Paul Giamatti is in the cast, you know it's a drama or comedy worth watching. However, the performances of the supporting cast especially Amy Ryan and Alex Shaffer as well as the light farce pivoted the heart-warming story of the small delights and common mishaps to the leve... read morel of tenderness that doesn't land on the over-sentimental. McCarthy delivered another great humanistic drama that is worth the attention.
  • LWOODS04
    October 6, 2011
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Burt Young, Melanie Lynskey, Alex Shaffer, Margo Martindale, David W. Thompson

    Director: Thomas McCarthy

    Summary: When down-on-his-luck part-time high school wrestling coach Mike agrees to become legal guardi... read morean to an elderly man, his ward's troubled grandson turns out to be a star grappler, sparking dreams of a big win -- until the boy's mother retrieves him.

    My Thoughts: "The indie film is a little quirky with a bit of comedy, but it's mostly a drama. I really enjoyed Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan in this movie. I thought they were well matched to play husband and wife. Alex Shaffer was a bit stiff in his performance and maybe that's how he's suppose to portray Kyle, but it was just too stiff for me. But great acting all around. The story itself is one I've seen before, but even with it being nothing new, it was still a good film and well done."
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    October 5, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    In the game of life, you can't lose 'em all.

    Excellent Film! Like enduring friendships, "Win Win" grows and deepens as it unfolds. The characters become more dear, the laughs get louder and the plot thickens. The acting from Paul Giamatti was unreal and so was everyone else in ... read morethis film. The story was original and unique which gave it a plus to it's great script. Highly recommended for everyone who wants to enjoy a good solid film.

    Disheartened attorney Mike Flaherty (Giamatti), who moonlights as a high school wrestling coach, stumbles across a star athlete through some questionable business dealings while trying to support his family. Just as it looks like he will get a double payday, the boy's mother shows up fresh from rehab and flat broke, threatening to derail everything.

View All Win Win Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ann Hornaday
July 28, 2011
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

The rare, humanist beauty of Win Win is that none of its characters is a caricature, none of its plot twists a blatant play for tears or laughs, none of its appeal based on some mythical lowest common... Full Review

Amy Biancolli
April 7, 2011
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Giamatti excels as the weak-kneed Mike, nicely working his gift for inner conflict and outer bumbling. As his wife, Amy Ryan is a ballast of unflinching moral certitude. Full Review

Roger Moore
April 6, 2011
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

With "Win Win," McCarthy has found his emotional sweet spot, a sweet and complex story to set it in and the perfect title for it. Full Review

Mary F. Pols
April 4, 2011
Mary F. Pols, TIME Magazine

[McCarthy's] writing reflects a wariness of human nature but he's not cynical; indeed, the story wraps up with a tenderness that feels true but completely without mush. Full Review

Tom Long
April 1, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

Win Win is a winner all the way. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
April 1, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Tom McCarthy's third feature proves something incontestable: The writer-director has a way with American characters. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
April 1, 2011
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

McCarthy's story and direction don't demand that the audience take sides one way or the other with Mike. He and Giamatti trust us to come to our own conclusions. Full Review

Colin Covert
March 31, 2011
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film is a win-win as a quirky indie comedy and an upbeat sports yarn. Full Review

Steven Rea
March 31, 2011
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Giamatti, rooting down to the soul of this stressed-out, struggling man, delivers a marvel of a performance - all the more so because we forget that he is performing. Full Review

J. R. Jones
March 25, 2011
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

A thoughtful and admirably nuanced moral drama. Full Review

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    • Stemler: I feel the force.
    • Stemler: I feel the force.
    • Stemler: Oh SHIT it's Darth Vader!
    • Terry Delfino: They opened their kimonos, and you make them meet the train.
    • Jackie Flaherty: We have kids, Mike. I'm not taking any chances with Eminem down there.
    • Jackie Flaherty: Kyle, We love you.
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  • Which movie did not win an Academy Award for Best Picture?  Answer »
  • What movie did Adrien Brody win an Oscar for Best Actor?  Answer »
  • How many kids win a trip into Willy Wonka's factory in the 2005 movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?  Answer »
  • For what movie did Marlon Brando win an Academy award, but refused it, sending a woman dressed as an indian onstage to announce his refusal?  Answer »
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