Music of Chance

(out of 5) "Dreamers Mandy Patinkin and James Spader enter a high-stakes poker game with two eccentric gamblers. When they lose, they are forced to build a wall to pay off their debt--once construction begins, all rhyme and reason end. Interesting cast makes this gambler's bluff pay off."-- Rated R 98m DIR: Philip Haas. CAST: James Spader, Mandy Patinkin, M. Emmet Walsh, Joel Grey, Charles Durning, Samantha Mathis. 1993 "...Although Spader was originally slated to play Patinkin's part, it's difficult to imagine the actors reversing roles. Patinkin gives a beautifully contained performance, hinting at the character's mounting anger while acknowledging that he's essentially a pragmatist resigned to his fate. Nashe's final actions don't exactly come out of left field, but they don't seem inevitable either. The way Patinkin plays him, you're never sure whether he's going to flee, fight or hunker down for the duration." -- John Hartl, film.com "The film has pleasures in its second half -- notably Patinkin's well-crafted performance..." --Austin Chronicle Movie Guide "The standout, however, is Mandy Patinkin who, with little fanfare, captures our attention and sympathy with his unforced portrayal of James Nashe, the innocent victim trapped and battered by fate. Nashe stands as a perfect example, if any is really needed, that life is never fair. " --Review by James Berardinelli

"Spader takes a chance, succeeds in sleazy role in 'Music of Chance'", film.com Review, by John Hartl

Review by James Berardinelli

Review by Deseret News

Review by Roger Ebert