Owning Mahowny

Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers another staggering performance in Richard Kwietniowski's follow-up to LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND. Dan Mahowney (Hoffman) is a well-respected assistant bank manager with a pretty fiancee, Belinda (Minnie Driver). But Dan also happens to be a compulsive gambler. One day, he steals $10,000 from the bank in order to feed his addiction. From there, the embezzling only gets worse. Obsessed with gambling for gambling's sake, Dan matches his even bigger losses with even bigger bets. Soon, he's flying to Atlantic City at every opportunity, blowing hundreds of thousands of dollars at a casino run by the shifty Victor Foss (John Hurt). Slowly, the Toronto police begin to catch on to Dan, although they have no idea just how guilty he is. When they finally set a trap to catch Dan, he's in the process of winning back all the money he has stolen. But as is the case with addicts, they never know when to stop, and Dan is no exception. Based on a true story, Kwietniowski's film presents gambling addiction with a matter-of-factness and lack of glamour that can be attributed to Dan Mahowney himself. Hoffman's portrayal of the unassuming criminal is another priceless gem.