6.0
Summary
The Grand is in the tradition of improvisational comedies like Best In Show and This Is Spinal Tap. The story is set in the world of professional poker and follows six players who reach the final table of the world’s second most famous high stakes tournament, the Grand Championship of Poker.
Cast
Woody Harrelson
One Eyed Jack Faro
Werner Herzog
The German
Dennis Farina
L.B.J. Deuce Fairbanks
David Cross
Larry Schwartzman
Cheryl Hines
Lainie Schwartzman
Richard Kind
Andy Andrews
Chris Parnell
Harold Melvin
Jason Alexander
Dr. Yakov Achmed
Ray Romano
Fred Marsh
Mike Epps
Reggie Marshall
Judy Greer
Sharon Andrews
Gabe Kaplan
Seth Schwartzman
Michael McKean
Steve Lavisch
Julie Claire
Dr. Jamie Sellers
Barry Corbin
Jimminy 'Lucky' Faro
Shannon Elizabeth
Toni
Estelle Harris
Ruth Melvin
Andrea Savage
Renee Jensen
Andrew Hill Newman
Russell Kalenich - The Dealer
Michael Karnow
Mike Werbe
Robert Thompson
Himself - Tournament Director
Andy Bellin
Poker Pro
Doyle Brunson
Poker Pro
Antonio Esfandiari
Poker Pro
Phil Hellmuth
Poker Pro
Phil Laak
Poker Pro
Daniel Negreanu
Poker Pro
Hank Azaria
Mike "The Bike" Heslov
Tom Hodges
Tim "Tiny Wonders" Woolrich
David Pressman
Melville "Murph Murph" Murphy
Brett Ratner
"Sob Story" Barry Blaustein
Avi Arad
Abdul Shavit
K.D. Aubert
Julie the Waitress
Tommy Lister Jr.
German's Bodyguard
Lance Stockton
German's Bodyguard
Tim Mikulecky
Bitch Slapped Man
Trula M. Marcus
Front Desk Clerk
Cynthia Petrello
Waitress at Vic & Anthony's
Linda Button
Jack's Secretary
Rusty Meyers
Long Island Poker Player
Richard Brodie
Himself
Peter O'Meara
Dave Esme
Tara G. Wise
Lainie's Daughter Ellen
Catherine Rose Young
Lainie's Daughter Catherine
Alec Holden
Little Larry
Hailey McCann
Little Lainie
Orly Shani
Lavisch's Assistant
Naomi Fabe
Lavisch's Assistant
Errol Guidry II
Cajun Larry
Jeff Bowler
Poker Player
Sharon Fann
Dealer at TV Tournament
Marc J. Chaiet
Hotel Guest
Garrett McKechnie
Hotel Guest
Tilman J. Fertitta
Himself
Sean Patrick Flaherty
Sean Marsh
Scotty Gelt
Poker Pro
Bonnie Joy Ashley
Dinner Guest
Harvey Blanc
Bell Desk Captain
Ashley Bowler
Child in Vic and Anthony's
Barry Brandt
Poker Player (uncredited)
Kelly Catey
Lavicsh's Assistant (uncredited)
Randy Charach
Poker Player (uncredited)
John Embry
Poker Player (uncredited)
Jason Anthony Fisher
Poker Contestant (uncredited)
Steve Grabowsky
Poker Player (uncredited)
Alistair David Herz
Police Officer #1 (uncredited)
Kelly R. Kleinman
Leroy Kelly (uncredited)
Melinda Kramer
Poker Dealer (uncredited)
Riley G. Matthews, Jr.
Poker Player (uncredited)
Dylan Mitro
Lainie's baby (uncredited)
Wesley Okerson
Poker Player (uncredited)
Michael A. Rizza
Poker Player (uncredited)
Brahm Taylor
Rex Copeland (uncredited)
Dave Yekell
Poker Player (uncredited)
Bob Pepper
Poker Player (uncredited)
Phil Gordon
Himself
Crew
Director, Writer
Zak Penn
Writer
Matt Bierman
Reviews
brekkil
December 30, 2014
4
This movie is centered around a poker tournament (called... the Grand, obviously). Build as a documentary, we follow a bunch of people; Jack Faro (Woody Harrelson) who own (or owned) a casino that he got from his grandpa, but has been staying at a rehab facility of late; Harold Melvin, a nerd who lives with his mother, and drinks a lot of Brain Juice; Lainie, a housewife who is getting a little tired of her husband, Fred (Ray Romano); Larry, Lainie's brother who is... a little out there, and always a step behind his sister; Deuce Fairbanks (Dennis Farina), an elderly gentlemen (a cowboy really) who speaks his mind and likes to remember the olden days; The German (Werner Herzog), a crazy german who feel compelled to kill at least one animal each day, and therefore arrive with... a lot of the; Andy Andrews, who won a seat at the Grand, more or less, by accident.
Just your average poker players... or maybe not. This is a movie afterall, so of course the characters needs to be... quirky. Also, this is clearly a comedy (and not an actual documentary, but I think you had guessed that). I kinda like these characters, flaws, weirdness and all. Oh, and there are other players as well.
The movie is not filmed entirely as a documentary, but goes back and forth between the genres. Most of the time, the camera is handheld, making for very lively images, but there are also interviews with our six main characters, where they tell their stories. In theory, it is a good idea, but in reality, it seems more like a gimmick than anything else. I read somewhere that when they sad down at the final table, they did not have a script, and actually, didn't know who would win. I like movies that use improvisation, but honestly, I've seen better movies than this one.
_Last words... a short ride, with its moments, but not much of a movie. It'll be forgotten by the morrow. Want to see a good movie about poker, go see Matt Damon and John Malkovich battle it out in Rounders._
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$5,400,000.00
Revenue:
$0.00
