Colin Farrell Doubles Down In Lurid BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER
·5 min
The episode opens by describing the film's setting in Macau, contrasted with Las Vegas, and introduces Colin Farrell's character Lord Doyle as a mark in a cheap suit. Doyle is deeply in debt from Baccarat and risks losing his hotel room. Director Edward Berger, known for Academy Award-winning films like All Quiet on the Western Front, shifts to a more commercial effort here, with rumors linking him to franchises like James Bond. The review notes that while the film attracts attention due to Berger and Farrell, it doesn't rank among Berger's best works. Ballad of a Small Player adapts Lawrence Osborne's novel, following Doyle's attempts to change his luck amid a backdrop of gambling addiction and suicide threats. Tilda Swinton's character Cynthia Blythe, a private investigator, chases Doyle and feels out of place in the film's tone. A grotesque buffet scene is highlighted where Doyle overeats to avoid paying, with Berger amplifying comedy and sound effects. The review argues the film works better in quieter moments, such as when Farrell portrays Doyle's internal struggle with addiction. Fala Chen plays Dao Ming, a casino employee who sees through Doyle's pretensions to his fearful core. The film explores themes of addiction, where winning can be as dangerous as losing, and captures the allure and perils of high-stakes gambling. Subtle scenes, like Doyle physically restraining himself from gambling, are praised for their effectiveness. Overall, the review balances praise for Farrell's performance with criticism of the film's wild tonal shifts and some character archetypes.
