Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Poker Face Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 14, 2023

Russell Crowe pulls off the trifecta in Poker Face, a film which he wrote and directed and in which he stars. The film does not stretch Crowe in any of those area, though it is perhaps most accomplished at the writing end, where the famed actor attempts to build something of metaphysical value, looking at friendship, family, life, death, wealth, right decisions, and wrong assumptions that all converge on a single evening that begins with a high stakes reunion poker game and turns into something else entirely. The film can't quite find a unified voice and a clearly defined purpose, however, instead choosing to push all over the map and hoping that the pieces converge into something of worth by the end. Some do, and some do not, but the film is worth watching for the try, which is evident in practically every scene.

Jake Foley (Crowe) is insanely wealthy. He has built his wealth in no small part through poker, some at the tables but most of it in computer software. His company was the first to the market to offer an online poker room, and his software was eventually transitioned into a lucrative defense contract. He has everything. Everything except good health. Jake is dying from inoperable pancreatic cancer. He gathers his childhood friends for one final high stakes game and hopes to use the opportunity to share with them his diagnosis and his wealth but also by putting them, however briefly, in his own shoes. As the night progresses, and outside threat enters the picture, intent on stealing some of the high value artwork in Jake's home. Even in the face of his pending death, the night evolves into a fight for survival against impossible odds.

Poker Face is an apt title because the film never reveals, or overplays, its dramatic hand until the end. Crowe's script plays things close to the vest, offering at times compelling and slow-drip access into Jake's life and mind. It becomes quickly clear that his fortune means less to him than his friends and family, though he at times has odd ways of showing that. Crowe aims to build the character both internally and externally, though often with an eye to metaphysical content rather than straightforward elements. Poker play, in fact, plays very little into the film in the grand scheme of things; there's really only one moment of high drama at the table, so the film offers more exposition than action. It works fairly well because the story is interesting enough with aspects of poker filtering through the story, even if the morph into a home invasion film in the second half dilutes some of the richer narrative content that Crowe aims for, which is admittedly hit or miss in the first half but compelling enough that the film might have worked better with a tighter focus on character bonds and growth and less on the "action" that enters in the second half.

At the heart of the film is money. It is revealed to be more than simple wealth and the means of accumulating things but rather avenues to happiness and security or greed and destruction. Crowe does his best to also explore characters existing in financial gray areas, revealing how money has made them, and destroyed them, sometimes at the same time. Crowe's Jake is super rich, but he doesn't seem to have been destroyed by the wealth. It is ill health that has turned the tables, not the squandering of his resources, and the film ultimately points to his desire to help his friends and family, even if he does so in unorthodox ways and through questionable means; his motives, however, seem fairly pure. Jake is an interesting character. Crowe plays him well, and while it's clear he could have used a little help to tweak the writing and the direction, he nails the acting.

Poker Face Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The 1080p picture is more than satisfactory. Poker Face enjoys a crisp, clear image that is only hindered by some source noise, which for the most part is unobtrusive/ In some extreme low light shots, however (look at the 48:30 mark), it can grow bothersome in its density. Still, the picture is largely clean and very sharp. The digital source captures facial hair and details with striking, intimate command. Overall clarity is excellent, whether on those faces, high end clothes, wristwatches, cars, and other luxurious appointments seen throughout the film. The color grading is fine, too, offering sufficient depth and vividness within neutral contrast and temperature settings. Faces are healthy, natural greens are vivid, and clothes are impressively punchy, while some of the grayer modern design cues in Jake's home offer substantial color yield in a more limited area of tonal aggression. Black levels can be a little murky and soupy. No encode flaws are in evidence. This is a good presentation overall.

Poker Face Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Poker Face may not go all-in, audio-wise, with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, but it is nevertheless a winning hand. The presentation is stout, with good depth and directionality as necessary, which is quite often, actually. The track offers a nice blend of ambient film and more prominent immersion, whether gentle exterior ambience surrounding the listener at the 13-minute mark or more intense crashing ocean waves a bit later on. Directionality is solid as evidenced by the ride to Jake's house where a few million-dollar cars make their way to his luxurious abode. Musical engagement is solid and agreeable, with fine clarity, front spacing, healthy surround wrap, and well-balanced bass. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration. This is nothing special, but it gets the job dine with agreeable output in all areas of concern.

Poker Face Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Poker Face contains no supplemental content. The main menu screen offers only options to play the film, select chapters, and setup the limited audio and subtitles options. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

Poker Face Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Poker Face is an interesting film in that it's alluring on one hand and somewhat tired on the other. It tries to differentiate itself with a bold exploration of significant metaphysical content, but the second half "home invasion" angle feels rather stale. Still, the film works well enough to warrant a watch, though one can imagine a superior picture with a little more work to refine it. Screen Media's featureless Blu-ray does offer solid video and audio. Worth a look.