Finding Amanda
By Marshall Fine
Rating:
Who's in it: Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow
What's it about: A gambling-addicted TV producer (Broderick) must rescue his niece (Snow) from a life of prostitution - in Las Vegas.
Craps: Written and directed by Peter Tolan ("Rescue Me"), this is comedy with razor edges, as Broderick paddles desperately to escape the whirlpool of his own bad habits. He lies to everyone - including himself - about his gambling habit, which leaves him helpless to resist wagering on horse races. Still, even he finds himself shocked at the casual way his cheerful niece approaches her career choice. Broderick gives a delicious performance, dropping acidic one-liners with off-handed accuracy and skill. Snow is the real surprise: bubbly, attractive - and a killer when pushed into a corner. Look for British comic actor Steve Coogan in a brilliant turn as a glad-handing casino manager. But this is really Broderick's show from start to finish.
Long story short: It's painfully funny - in a good way.
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