It’s a good thing I liked “Owning Mahowny,” because, if I hadn’t, I would have forgotten it long ago. You see, I saw it at a screening way back last Spring. It was so long ago, I can't recall the date. But I do remember the movie and how long it finally took to play in my city of residence: Sacramento, CA, where lots of strange things are happening this Fall. But I digress. Sorry. I kept waiting for the film to open here, but it was delayed for weeks and weeks, making way for other films (good, bad and ugly) that were selling tickets. And it didn't play very long when it did open here, which got me to thinking that the masses were probably not too impressed with this little gem. But I was, so now I'm thinking that if you frequent films that show at The Westby Cinema in Tulsa, you may feel the same way.
Enter New Jersey casino owner, Victor Foss, played by one of my favorite
actors, John Hurt. The words “unctuous” and
“oleaginous” come to mind when I think of John Hurt’s character.
On observing just how much of a gambling habit Dan has, Victor is out to
own Mahowny in the worst way.
I must take a moment and stop to rave about John Hurt’s job in this film, not that Philip Seymour Hoffman isn’t worth raving about too. But Hurt has captured the smarmy insincerity of the casino boss so well, it must be underscored. I’ll see this movie again just on his performance alone. Then, I’ll see it once more just for Hoffman’s. What’s not to rave about in “Owning Mahowny” is Minnie Driver as Dan’s girl friend, Belinda. First of all, she’s much too pretty, well-groomed and simple-minded to be the main squeeze of a nerdy, hell-bent embezzler-gambler. She’s hell-bent on marrying the guy and it’s quite clear that she could do a whole lot better, if not smarter. But she wouldn’t know that. Although there are some funny moments between Hoffman and Driver, the real meat of this movie is sandwiched between the characters Hoffman and Hurt play.
Foss’ offer of a complimentary, sumptuous European dinner is rejected. “But a Coke and some barbeque (hold the sauce) would do fine,” Dan replies. Hurt’s character’s reaction to this is priceless. “Owning Mahowny” is one of those good little movies that gets trampled in the stampede of marketing. I'm just glad that The Westby Cinema in Tulsa is playing it so I can tell you how good it is. William Bennett notwithstanding, "Owning Mahowny" will be enjoyed with or without sauce.
On the official "Owning Mahowny" site, you can watch a QuickTime trailer. Gary Chew can be reached via email at garychew@comcast.net. Here's HBO's schedule for future showings.
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Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Dan
Mahowny, a quiet, disheveled Toronto bank manager with a gambling problem
that can only be described as Big Time. (The script is loosely based on a
true story from the 80’s) A poor dresser, but fast with numbers, Mahowny,
over time, embezzles 10.2 million dollars from the bank to feed the little
monkey on his back that thrills to the simple act of placing a bet. Winning
or losing is something else. Oh yes, most of his gambling is done south of
the border, down Atlantic City way.
The back-and-forth between these
two characters is what makes the movie hum.
