Win Win

Year: 2011
Genre: Drama
Directed: Tom McCarthy
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Alex Shaffer, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Burt Young, Melanie Lynskey, Margo Martindale, David W. Thompson, Mike Diliello, Nina Arianda
Production: Fox Searchlight

Win Win is the third and most accessible of director Tom McCarthy's enduring line of humanistic films. Like his previous films, Win Win focuses on a conflicted central character who is forced to mesh with other equally troubled characters and despite differences manages to create a makeshift family all for the sake of human connection.

In this case, the central character is Mike Flaherty (Giamatti), a lawyer who also volunteers as the local high school wrestling coach. Mike's only client Leo (Young), is a senile old man who wants to stay in his house but has become a burden on the State. Pressed for cash, Giamatti tells the judge he is willing to be a guardian so Leo can stay in his house and is given a stipend for home upkeep and his troubles. Giamatti then pockets the cash and forces Leo into an old folks home reasoning he would be better off. This of course is done without his family's knowledge. Things get even more complicated with the arrival of Kyle (Shaffer) Leo's street-wise grandson who runs away from home and shows up on Mike's doorstep. Giamatti and kin are then forced to bring him into their family.

Like all of McCarthy's films, the story is told with great care and sensitivity. It's not rushed like so many of today's films and unfolds with great affection for the characters. Unlike his other films however, this one has Paul Giamatti. Giamatti has a presence and flair that Peter Dinklage and Richard Jenkins just didn't have. His character might be a bit of a opportunistic schlub as further evidenced by his zeal to add Kyle to his wrestling team roster, but his intentions are pure even when his actions are despicable.

No not despicable in that way...

Win Win tends to be a tad bit funnier than The Station Agent (2003) and The Visitor (2007) but the jokes still come from the characters. McCarthy favorite Bobby Cannavale shines as a family friend going through divorce and Jeffrey Tambor does a great job as assistant coach who is demoted to assistant, assistant coach. Also making the best of their parts are Amy Ryan as Giamatti's watchful wife and Melanie Lynskey as Kyle's drug-addled mom.

My only real criticism is the film tends to be predictable. Right when you see Paul Giamatti's character offers his services as a guardian you just know he'll get his comeuppance by the time the credits role. Likewise Kyle's induction to the wrestling team gives the film a feel-good sports movie vibe that can annoy jaded viewers. Still it's hard not to like this film for its great, well developed, three-dimensional characters and its sober humanism. Beautifully acted and sublimely written Win Win wins.

Final Grade: B