WinWin (2011)

Directed by: Tom McCarthy | 106 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Burt Young, Melanie Lynskey, Alex Shaffer, Margo Martindale, David W. Thompson, Mike Diliello, Nina Arianda, Marcia Haufrecht, Sharon Wilkins, Clare Foley, Penelope Kindred

Tom McCarthy’s third film is the highly underrated comedy ‘Win Win’, with a good lead by Paul Giamatti, who seems to be looking for more and more roles in which he can show his acting talent. However, not everyone in the cast seems to have the same ambitions, which makes the film struggle at times. Alex Shaffer is somewhat miscast as the “problem boy” Kyle who moves in with the Flaherty family, and David W. Thompson isn’t much better than his friend Stemler. But when the film is set apart from the youngsters, it is at its strongest.

The fact with which McCarthy (also a screenwriter) tries to shape his story is interesting – the many characters each have their good and bad sides, which makes them realistic and ensures the viewer’s involvement – ​​but this does not give him a real indie hit. Apart from the somewhat mediocre acting youngsters, the film also lacks a quality soundtrack (Lyle Workham’s music is substandard), and it actually takes a little too long before the story really gets going. Still, McCarthy has a lot to look forward to.

In addition to being a director and screenwriter, he often acts, and this lands him roles in films such as ‘The Lovely Bones’ and ‘Flags of Our Fathers’. He is not yet as gifted as Peter Jackson and Clint Eastwood, but with his previous films ‘The Station Agent’ and ‘The Visitor’ he seems to be moving towards his own style. He made all three films with cinematographer Oliver Bokelberg, and he likes the smaller film. Like some other decent independent film releases, ‘Win Win’ was snowed under by the surprises of the year and the usual Hollywood blockbusters, but the film is well worth watching. A decent comedic drama. Nothing more and nothing less.