With just two previous features to his credit, filmmaker Tom McCarthy has quietly established himself as one of the most original voices in contemporary cinema. Both 2003's The Station Agent and 2007's The Visitor were rich, intimate character studies that wound up on most critics' top 10 lists for their respective years. McCarthy's third film, Win Win, is another such gem, one that will likely extend the tradition of year-end accolades.
Win Win tells the story of small town elder-law attorney Mike Flaherty (played by Paul Giamatti). Business is down for Mike and he's struggling to make ends meet. Out of desperation, and unbeknownst to his family, he agrees to become the guardian of incapacitated client Leo Poplar (played by Burt Young) so he can obtain a $1,500 monthly commission from Leo's estate. Mike, however, has no interest in taking care of Leo and quickly deposits him in the local assisted-living facility.
Mike's plan is soon complicated, though, when Leo's troubled teenage grandson Kyle (played by Alex Shaffer ) appears looking for a place to stay. Apparently Kyle's mother is in rehab and he couldn't stand living with her physically abusive boyfriend any longer. With little choice, Mike takes Kyle back to his place until he and wife Jackie (played by Amy Ryan ) can sort things out.
It's eventually decided that Kyle will stay with the Flahertys until his mother concludes her treatment. Mike coaches the underachieving high school wrestling squad and soon Kyle joins the team and proves to be its savior. It's not long before Mike and Jackie come to like having Kyle as part of the family. That is until his mother ( played by Melanie Lynskey ) shows up wanting to take him back home and assume Leo's guardianship from Mike.
Giamatti wears these type of hapless, imperfect roles like a glove. He's really become the Richard Dreyfuss of his generation, the Joe Smoe everyman we all can sympathize with. Ryan is a riot as the tough but good-hearted Jackie and Bobby Cannavale (Blue Bloods, The Station Agent) and Jeffrey Tambor provide amusing supporting work as Mike's assistant wrestling coaches.
Win Win is considerably lighter than McCarthy's previous two films but it remains just as textured and personal. With this film he's crafted a fresh, entertaining and extremely relatable family dramedy that keeps a smile on your face and never outstays its welcome.
