Owning Mahowny (2003)

Incisive and riveting character study of a compusive gambler, saved from movie-of-the-week cliche by low-key scripting and a marvelous performance from the unbeatable, chameleonic Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hopefully, this film will land him more leading roles. A worthy follow-up to director Richard Kwietniowski's lovely debut Love and Death on Long Island; John Hurt, a holdover from that film, is also fantastic here as an Atlantic City casino owner who has Mahowny's number. A neat little sleeper.

Grade: A-