Balada de Um Jogador

Been thinking about this interesting, visually impressive,like it or loathe it drama/thriller/dark comedy.

First, Colin Farrell excels in the lead as a loathsome, slimy worm of a man who reminded me of Lord Melbury from Fawlty Towers,Paul Whitehouse's character from The Fast Show- The 13th Duke of Wimbourne and....well....me! The slicked back black hair, spiv moustache and a liking to unusual clothing. It made me laugh!

His addiction to gambling is palpable and director Edward Berger isn't afraid to show how far he's fallen, with close ups,shaky camera,humour.

His character develops to a road to redemption way via a mysterious Chinese ghost story (the Hungry Ghost) that also reminded me of the excellent Twilight Zone episode The Misfortune Cookie with Elliot Gould.

This adds a feel of a horror film that will put most off (Laura) but will give the keen watcher a lot to digest (was he dead,was the old woman at the table the devil?).

I'd pair this with an underrated Phillip Seymour Hoffman gambling film from 2003 'Owning Mahowny' .

The cinematography expertly captures the empty look of hotels (Doyle's psyche?) to the razzle dazzle of China.

Only Tilda Swinton is a misstep in her silly glasses and wig that she looked like Lynne and Nan. She fails to convince as a private investigator.

I'll happily rewatch this strange, hypnotic film and already think it's one of the best films about addiction.

Colin Farrel is one of my favorite actors and with this film he really got to show his acting chops. He practically carried the film by himself but then Tilda showed up!

With the back drop of Macau, the beautiful buildings and colors juxtaposed with people living in small boats out on a river it really makes the colors stand out even more.

Watch through the closing credits to see Colin and Tilda dancing.

Loved the performances in this movie. The setting was perfect. Macau is beautifully depicted, not just as a backdrop but as part of the story itself. Well acted and filmed, with Colin Farrell and Fala Chen bringing real depth to their characters. Some shots in the movie are really nice, capturing both the glamour and the loneliness of Doyle's world. I liked the story and message as well, about chance, redemption, and the people we meet along the way.

Cannot understand the bad reviews. This is a beautiful movie about the conflict between impulse and addiction versus the struggle for redemption.

Yes, the dialogue isn't always strong, but the visual storytelling more than compensates. The cinematography beautifully captures the sense of melancholy and disorientation the character is going through.

Don't expect to be narrated every thing, meet the movie on its own terms, don't ignore the context laid in the background - after all the movie takes place during the Hungry Ghost Festival - and you will enjoy it.

Ballad of a Small Player is a visually hypnotic tale of addiction, alienation, and redemption. Directed by Edward Berger and starring Colin Farrell, it follows a self-styled British gambler spiraling through Macau's neon-lit casinos. The film's fusion of noir, psychological drama, and spiritual allegory turns the city itself into a haunting character. Farrell gives a magnetic performance, both desperate and dignified, embodying a "hungry ghost" consumed by endless desire. I enjoyed the story's atmosphere and Farrell's depth, though the side characters, especially Dao Ming, could have been more developed to balance his journey. While the plot leaves redemption ambiguous, the film's mood, visuals, and themes of cultural dislocation and craving make it a beautifully crafted exploration of loss and longing-less about winning and more about what's left when the gamble ends.