Throughout this thriller, Adam Sandler's character with a severe high stakes sports gambling problem reminded me of Pete Rose.

Video Review - Just left the theater (no spoilers)

They don't look alike of course and it has nothing to do with Rose, but it's sort of how I envisioned Rose was behaving -- only Howard in the movie is betting on NBA basketball games and Rose bet primarily on MLB.

Howard's trying to make one gigantic score by selling a rock filled with multi-colored gems at an auction. NBA star Kevin Garnett playing himself believes this gem will boost his gameplay in the playoffs. Howard is trying to get Garnett to buy the gem. Meanwhile, Howard is trying to delay paying gambling debts by chasing that next big payoff.

This isn't the kind of Adam Sandler anybody is used to seeing, but he does a great job acting in this film. There is zero silly humor and the last 20 minutes of the film is a real nailbiter. I found parts in the middle to be a little repetitive and uneven to the beginning and ending. I don't think this will earn Sandler an Oscar, but it does show he can do serious acting work, and impressively. Recommended.