The Grand Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 04.04.2008
The stakes are high, but it all pays off in the end.
Woody Harrelson: One Eyed Jack Faro
Cheryl Hines: Lainie Schwartzman
David Cross: Larry Schwartzman
Werner Herzog: The German
Richard Kind: Andy Andrews
Chris Parnell: Harold Melvin
Dennis Farina: L.B.J. Deuce Fairbanks
Judy Greer: Sharon Andrews
Estella Harris: Ruth "Nana" Melvin
Michael Karnow: Mike Werbe
Gabe Kaplan: Seth Schwartzman
Michael McKean: Steve Lavisch
Directed By: Zak Penn
Written By: Zak Penn and Matt Bierman
Release Date: March 21, 2008
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rated R for language and some drug content.
The Grand is simply one of the funniest films of the year. The sophomore effort by Director Zak Penn strikes basically every chord in the proper way. It contains an eclectic, yet lively cast of actors, whose varying comedic styles mix wonderfully without clashing or overshadowing one another. This is a smart film, which knows precisely when to shift from intelligent humor to idiotically uproarious bursts. As far as mockumentaries are concerned, this can easily be compared to anything Christopher Guest has done. This is a sensational smorgasbord of hilarity that is sure to get better with repeated viewings.
Jack Faro (Woody Harrelson) is the grandson of Lucky Faro, the late owner of the Rabbit's Foot Casino. Jack has a little problem with drugs and money though. When he finds himself in rehab for two years, he must also pay back a debt to buy the Rabbit's Foot back. He tries to negotiate with billionaire real-estate developer Steve Lavisch (Michael McKeane) with negative results. If Jack cannot pay the money soon, the casino will be destroyed. Jack must enter a poker tournament headed by the Rabbit's Foot called "The Grand." The winner will receive $10 million. It will not be easy for Jack to win, despite his adept poker skills. The old crafty veteran Deuce Fairbanks (Dennis Farina) has entered. He rides his motor scooter to the event. Other participants include Harold Melvin (Chris Parnell), a highly intelligent and odd person who has lived with his Nana his entire life. He knows all the ins and outs of Texas Hold 'Em. Next, is the popular brother and sister team of Lainie (Cheryl Hines) and Larry Schwartzman (David Cross). Larry has talent, but his sister usually comes out on top when they face off. Another competitor is the German (Werner Herzog), an evil man who tortures animals, but loves his pet rabbit. The underdog entry is Andy Andrews (Richard Kind), who has only ever gambled on-line, but has been so lucky that he decided to give a real tournament a shot. Each of these people will be competing against hundreds of others for the jackpot first place prize.
This faux documentary follows each of these players, along with a few others as they discuss their strategies, marriages, and lives aside from poker. This is an absolutely riotous random comedy in which the whole cast supplies balanced doses of humor. 90% of the lines are improvised, as is customary with mockumentaries in order for the interviews to appear authentic. In addition, each actor is actually playing real hands of poker here. Obviously certain scenes are staged, but Zak Penn stated the outcome was a total shock to the cast and crew. It is this approach which makes The Grand so riveting, so consistently entertaining, and so victorious.
Woody Harrelson leads the bizarre and eccentric all-star cast, and he is remarkable as One Eyed Jack Faro, who received the nickname due to wearing an eye patch for good luck. The employees at the rehabilitation center were sad to see him leave. After all, he made the place his home for two years. Before he departs, he performs the song "12 Steps" on his guitar. As he describes getting kicked out of his own casino, I could hardly contain myself. Faro has been married 75 times. This is another glorious effort from Harrelson, who has been on a role since North Country. He truly is a dependable and special actor, and he is the highlight of this film.
Lainie Schwartzman might not strike one as an intimidating player, but she can hold her own and overcome obstacles. Her husband Fred Marsh (the irreplaceable Ray Romano) does not have a job, since Lainie's winnings are the only necessary income. In his spare time, Fred does well at fantasy football, and has moved up in the ranks to the expert league. As Lainie, Cheryl Hines is perfect as a woman who wears the pants in her family. The chemistry between Hines and Romano is marvelous and unforgettable. This is the best work Romano has done since the conclusion of Everybody Loves Raymond. One can't help but feel sorry for the man when the hotel concierge announces his reservation under Lainie's last name. Larry Schwartzman, Lainie's envious brother is a sarcastic, but clever entrant who has sat backstage to Lainie his whole life. Their father holds up a sign at the tournament cheering for only Lainie. The sporadically effective David Cross delivers incomparable facial expressions as Larry.
Former Saturday Night Live member Chris Parnell is Harold Melvin, a brutally honest player, who has some sort of unknown mental problem. In every scene, Parnell stares into the green table with an eerie and deranged gaze that makes most of his lines increasingly spectacular. Prior to each match, he recites lines from the movie Dune, and mixes vitamins into a concoction he calls his "brain juice." His interactions with Estelle Harris, who acts as his Nana, result in one of the stranger on screen relationships that have natural chemistry. An unlikely, yet surprisingly funny contributor to this main group of competitors is Werner Herzog, who is only known as the German. It is interesting to watch Herzog in this form. His character is a heartless card shark with a sinister glare and deceitful tricks up his sleeve. Richard Kind deals with television appearances primarily, but he is an underrated comic genius anywhere. Ever since Spin City, I have always been a fan of his. He is Andy Andrews from Wisconsin, the sweetest poker player you will meet, and he has obtained his success through on-line gambling. His streak of luck eliminates veterans and newcomers alike, regardless that he has never sat opposite of real human beings.
Zak Penn molds this project so that all types of viewers will locate a comedian, or performer they prefer. Penn does not limit the humor to one specific mode, but instead adjusts his scope to a wider range. If Penn is a familiar name to some, it is because he has written some recent comic book adaptations like X2, X-Men 3: The Last Stand and the upcoming Incredible Hulk. The Grand was a hit at Tribeca, and debuted there to commence the ESPN Sports film festival section of the event. Most of the time, mockumentaries do not appeal to me, partly because they approach the theme too seriously. Penn's manner is not like this at all. He dabs some nifty special effects to spice up a game in which only a select number of people actually watch it regularly on television. His pacing is brisk, yet methodical and occasionally chaotic. The editing is proficient and firm in some areas, but when the cards are dealt, Penn lets the cast roam free. He causes this to be a triumph of convoluted story trash. It is movie that could benefit strongest from an essay, not just a review. Penn's insertion of numerous pivotal minor roles is just superb. For instance, Mike Werbe, the annoying commentator that constantly pushes his poker tutorial video. On a side note, a huge amount of legitimate professionals popped in for creative cameos.
The Grand is saturated with intriguing characters who are simultaneously cliché, yet fascinating. It is a screwy and side-splitting take on the popularity of tournament poker on television. As you surf through the channels, you will probably never view these real tournaments the same again. I have the utmost respect for a film that elected to please more than just the males who fancy Texas Hold 'Em. On the surface, this might have the aura of an all guy geared romp, but females should have no problems enjoying this frenzied atmosphere either. The screen time is spaced out so that no talent is left in the dust. I'm not commonly a betting man, but I would gladly put up my life savings and say The Grand is a guaranteed winner this year.
The 411: Honestly, I just went to see this at the 2007 Tribeca festival because I heard it was popular, so I thought it might be ok. When I heard it was a mockumentary, I became skeptical as I usually don't like them. I was shocked when I was laughing myself almost to tears during this well spent 95 minutes. As far as comedy ensembles go, this is one of the best I have witnessed in quite some time. I actually sit down and play poker maybe once every year. That should show you that I am not the biggest follower of that "sport." Nevertheless, I still loved this movie, and I think you will too.
