Double Down

I like psychological thrillers, which I heard this film called. I thought the acting was not bad, the storyline was interesting. There is a surprising twist, although we might have guessed at it. But the ending is disappointing. With a good lawyer V could recover everything but instead he sees it as an opportunity. Not to mention, the brilliant psychologist would not have thought such a man would give in quietly once the truth was uncovered. What bothers me, though, is the reliance on the idea that a psychologist of any caliber could be so certain how a person would act in such a set of circumstances. Shrinks just aren't as powerful as this style of mystery give them credit for. And in that sense, it's not only reminiscent of the 1960s Hitchcock series because of the surprise twist but because in the 60s, when little was understood about psychologists, just this type of superior power was attributed to them in film & tv. It's entertaining and really just a modern episode of Hitchcock, complete with unrealistic scenarios in order to deliver the twist and without the fat man talking at the end. I should say there are many unrealistic scenarios woven to create this plot and I'll leave it at that. But there are also clues within the film about motives and character, for instance we immediately see the young beautiful wife married to a controlling older not particularly good looking and somewhat unfit man; she is indifferent to him and blames him, even setting him up for failure, such as telling him they have a meeting with a counselor in 4 hours and if he's not there she might leave the marriage. So right away, if you're paying attention, you see the motive and the game playing. But it's probably more in hindsight, to be honest. An enjoyable psychological mystery, I would say. A solid 6 out of 10 from me.

I watched to the end and it's not a bad movie. I've seen much worse rated better. Decent movie. Nobody's getting an academy award but way better than a three rating.

Vincent Jamison works for R&S Investments. He is terminated early in the film and has wife issues on top of that. There are flashbacks to his childhood. Afterwards Vincent engages in some illegal activity to get back into the game. He gets caught and his life digresses from there. Nobody in the film was likeable. The script was garbage. The twist was stupid. Couldn't wait for it to be over. Guide: F-word. Brief sex. No nudity.

In the game of life, Vincent always felt the burden of promises he made to his father. In order to receive his inheritance, he had to earn his own money, and he had to have a family. Now approaching middle age, Vincent has failed to fulfill his promises. While a slick financial consultant, Vincent cuts too many corners and does not play by the books. On the home front, he has a very demanding wife who apparently does not want children. What is a guy to do under those circumstances? "Double Down" was an incisive character study in a film that incorporated the style of film noir. The script was cleverly constructed, and the character's dilemma held the film together. Although the film was on the longish side, it was nonetheless compelling in its depth psychology and the exploration of human nature. Vincent ultimately comes to a realization about the importance of new beginnings in life. In the process, he is able to throw off the burdens of the past.