BIG SCREEN: Win Win Revieux (Rated R)

Who among us hasn’t been tempted to take a few, let’s say, less-than-kosher shortcuts to make life a little easier? In Win Win, Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) is a struggling, small-town lawyer and family man who’s suffering some pretty debilitating panic attacks over his financial situation. On the side, he coaches a truly terrible high school wrestling team, which seems to only exacerbate the situation. When the opportunity presents itself, he executes some shady legal maneuverings to boost his bank account – and he scores a star wrestler in the process. Seems like a “win-win” – that is, until everything starts to unravel.

The writing starts off pretty clumsy as we’re hit over the head with some clunky symbolism – chubby Mike gets passed by thinner, leaner runners while jogging; a dead tree is about to fall on his house; the hot water heater in his office is clanking away and threatening to blow – subtle, right? But, luckily, the acting and character development make up for it.

The role of a troubled young wrestler who both complicates and clarifies Mike’s situation is played by newcomer Alex Shaffer, who nails the disconnected teen vibe, while effortlessly conveying a sweetness and vulnerability. It’s totally believable that he easily ingratiates his way into Mike’s family and creates such a stir.

And I’m just going to admit it: Paul Giamatti can pretty much do no wrong in my eyes. The man is a genius. And while this isn’t the most sophisticated movie on the planet, he brings such complexity the role. Even as his character makes some pretty crappy choices, we can’t help but empathize. Giamatti manages to convey all the despair of a man-on-the-edge one moment, then turns on a dime and exudes hope and optimism in the next. But all the while, those sad eyes and slouch never let you forget that complete failure could be lurking around the corner. The result is a sort of nail-biting tension and anxiety, usually reserved for thrillers, that propel the story ever-forward.

A real charmer with a big heart!

It’s rated R for language. Which is a shame, as it’s got a good message for teens – and parents. I can’t recall the language being all that horrific, so if you don’t mind a few four-letter-word tirades, it’s totally worth it.

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