The Grand (2007)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Zak Penn

Writers (WGA):

Zak Penn (written by) &
Matt Bierman (written by)

Release Date:

4 April 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

A comedy about the fine art of losing

Plot:

An improvisational comedy using a handful of actors playing characters competing in an actual poker tournament. |

Plot Keywords:

Improvisational Comedy | Poker | Poker Tournament | Casino | Mockumentary

Cast

Woody Harrelson	...	One Eyed Jack Faro
David Cross	...	Larry Schwartzman
Dennis Farina	...	L.B.J. Deuce Fairbanks
Cheryl Hines	...	Lainie Schwartzman
Richard Kind	...	Andy Andrews
Chris Parnell	...	Harold Melvin
Werner Herzog	...	The German
Jason Alexander	...	Dr. Yakov Achmed
Ray Romano	...	Fred Marsh
Mike Epps	...	Reggie Marshall
Judy Greer	...	Sharon Andrews
Gabe Kaplan	...	Seth Schwartzman
Michael Karnow	...	Mike Werbe
Michael McKean	...	Billionaire Steve Lavisch
Julie Claire	...	Dr. Jamie Sellers

Also Known As:

Untitled Zak Penn Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some drug content.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino - 129 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Insomnia Media Group

Trivia:

The script was barely 29 pages long. Zak Penn had the actors improvise.

Goofs:

Continuity: Chips spread across the table disappear during the Blausteen-Schwartzman game.

Quotes:

Billionaire Steve Lavisch: I myself despise nostalgia, because it's so old.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2008-03-22)" (2008)

Surprisingly I enjoyed this film

I have to say I really enjoyed this film. I saw it at Tribeca last month and to be honest I didn't have high expectations. I personally don't like most of the movies the writer/director (Zak Penn) has written of late (mostly big action comic book movies), but this is not that kind of film.

What honestly attracted me to this film was that it's an improv style film starring one of my favorite SNL people ever, Chris Parnell. He doesn't disappoint. He plays a lonely poker player who has some kind of mental problem where he's brutally honest and very, very skilled in math (which makes him a great player). Chris steals every scene he's in, which aren't enough if you ask me, but I'm biased so take that with a grain of salt.

The other actors hold their own in their respective roles all working to try and win a big tournament for 10 million dollars. I don't know enough about poker to know if it's at all accurate, but the good thing is the film doesn't really focus on actual poker all that often.

If you like the films of Christopher Guest (which I do), then I think you'll like this film as well.