Greenbelters Review 'Win Win'

Welcome to Patch's kickoff review, the first in a series, where Greenbelt's own share their thoughts about the films at the . With four pops being the best rating a show can grab, find out how popcorn-worthy your neighbors deem it.

This week’s movie reviewers are:

Konrad Herling, Greenbelt city councilman, founder of the Greenbelt Arts Center and lifetime Greenbelter, and

Sheila Maffay-Tuthill, Education/Volunteer Coordinator at Greenbelt Museum and longtime Greenbelter

At last check, “Win Win” is showing at the Old Greenbelt Theatre through this Thursday, May 5.

Konrad Herling

THREE and ONE-HALF POPS

☼☼☼ +1/2

Kyle's attitude is you have to fight the feeling that someone is trying to drown you, while doing whatever it takes to extricate yourself from that situation — be it on the wrestling mat or in life itself.

See Konrad's full review below.

Sheila-Maffay Tuthill

THREE POPS

☼☼☼

Charming, accessible, funny - I am going to see it again.

See Sheila's full review below.

JUST HOW POPCORN WORTHY IS "WIN WIN?"

KONRAD HERLING

Shaffer is so real, he plays the role of Kyle as if he's been there. Director Thomas McCarthy didn't have to teach the teenager how to wrestle — Shaffer has actually won numerous awards for his wrestling in New Jersey, so there was authenticity. You get the feeling that he could be a screen star for years to come.

Amy Ryan plays the role of the strong supporting wife, Jackie, and provides the troubled teen, Kyle, an outlet to express his feelings. She plays the role well, but I'd have liked to seen more development of her character. Her frustration with the situation of a runaway teen, who can't stand his mom, is evident in her facial expressions. The tone of her voice reflects disappointment in her husband when he admits that he acted less than honorably in securing payments from an aging client, Leo Poplar.  Still, I would have loved to seen more of Jackie’s role, but she was on screen just too little to fully develop it.

Flaherty's sidekick wrestling coaches, were just that, adding touches of humor. Terry Delfino, played by Bobby Cannavale, a good-looking guy who is bitter over his divorce and looks to his friend, Flaherty, to offer him a distraction — as an assistant wrestling coach. Delfino, more than coincidentally, picks up his interest when he sees Kyle's first scrimmages, transporting him back in time to his heyday as a wrestling star.

This is to the consternation of Flaherty's assistant coach Stephen Vigman, played by Jeffrey Tambor, who had stuck with the team despite their consistent losses. Vigman, who also works as an attorney at Flaherty's firm, feels as if he's been downgraded by Delfino's overly enthusiastic behavior. As he shifts down to third-fiddle, you can sense through his eyes that he is a most unhappy camper. Seeing Tambor brought me back to the 1990s, where he played second-fiddle to Gary Shandling on “The Larry Sanders Show.” 

Kyle's mom, Cindy, played by Melanie Lynskey, portrays a woman torn by her past drug challenges and her striving to secure money she feels she deserves from her father, Poplar. As she sees it, she was abused by him, so it's only right that she get something back. It is clear that her absorption with her own concerns leaves her unable to give much to her son — and he knows it. Ironically, it is Cindy who "spills the beans" about Flaherty's questionable choices and ultimately forces him to do the "right thing.”

Burt Young, well known for his role in "Rocky,” plays the role of Poplar — a quiet, sometimes grumpy, old man. He knows what he wants and makes no bones about it — showing determination to live in his home and be able to walk to "his" park, close by. I always get the feeling that Young likes roles that don't require a lot of shaving. 

Cindy's attorney, played by Margo Martindale, realistically portrays a woman who goes to bat for her client as best as she can. 

Finally, David Thompson is convincing in his role as Stemler, Kyle's high school wrestling buddy. Thompson buys into the mystique of Kyle and appreciates how he approaches challenges. Kyle's attitude is you have to fight the feeling that someone is trying to drown you, while doing whatever it takes to extricate yourself from that situation — be it on the wrestling mat or in life itself.

Tom McCarthy did a good job directing this film. While "Win Win" yields a somewhat predictable course, it has enough tension to keep your interest and have you rooting for a good result. 

SHEILA MAFFAY-TUTHILL

I loved Paul Giamatti in this role — his signature everyman sparkles here. All of the characters make you care about them and you lose yourself. I forgot I was watching a movie! Charming, accessible, funny — I am going to see it again.