Saturday, June 21, 2008

Divine Poker

Author(s): Alex
Location: Washington State

"Divine Poker"

Directed by Mike Nichols
Written by Alexander Payne

Main Cast

Jeff Goldblum (Daniel Ellis)
Michelle Pfeiffer (Kylie Ellis)
Whoopi Goldberg (God)
Sean Connery (The Devil)
Joel Grey (Steve the Angel)
Kathy Griffin (Joanne the Demon)

Tagline: "The term "Celebrity Poker" has just been completely redefined"

Synopsis: Kylie and Daniel Ellis are stars in the professional poker world. This couple has won more poker championships than anyone in the world. They usually never play against each other to avoid the idea that they might be helping each other. They are where they've always wanted to be in life; making a living by playing poker. But their lives are about to get turned totally upside down.

The Devil, with the help of his assistant and head Demon Joanne, has decided that he's tired of living down in hell. He wants to take another shot at ruling the world, so he challenges God to an all-out winner takes all poker match for control of the world. The only problem is that he hasn't played poker since losing a match to Michael the Archangel a long time ago that first banished him to Hell, so he's a little shabby. But then again, so is God. God hasn't played since he lost to the Devil in who got to chat with Eve first. So as we can see, they're going to need some help.

God sends Steve, her head Angel, to ask Daniel if he would help her brush up on her skills. Steve is very good at this sort of thing, having had to break some big news to a carpenter's wife in Bethlehem awhile ago. When he asks Daniel if he would do this, Daniel of course can't believe what he's hearing, but Steve offers to take him to heaven and meet God to show that he's telling the truth.

While Daniel is in Heaven (literally), Joanne has gone to earth to see if Kylie would help out her employer. Like her husband, she can't believe what's going on, but Joanne takes her down to Hell to see what it's like and meet the big guy himself.

After weeks of training, the power couple still has no idea that they the other is working for their latest boss' archenemy…and they don't find out until the day of the big match. Although they've both been working hard, it all boils down to one question…who will rule the world?

What the Press would say:

Mike Nichols' latest comedy, "Divine Poker", is set around a couple who has to teach God and the Devil how to play poker. When I first read this one thing popped into my mind…"WHAT?!?". I couldn't believe that this was the subject of his latest film. I went into the theatre not expecting much, but I came out completely proven wrong. Not many directors could handle this subject matter, and Nichols pulls it off beautifully. What you would expect to be completely outrageous turns out to be simply perfect. Not only does this film display perfection behind the camera, but there's plenty of it onscreen as well. This fabulous ensemble is one of the best I've seen in a comedy for years. No, actually, it's one of the best ensembles I've seen in any film in years. Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer play Daniel and Kylie Ellis, the Warren Beatty and Annette Bening of the poker world. Goldblum is finally back in a leading role on the big screen. He is absolutely perfect as the poker player recruited by God to teach her how to play. This performance is his best since "The Fly". Pfeiffer is solidifying this year as her official comeback with "Hairspray" and now "Divine Poker". This is definitely the best performance she's ever given, surpassing many great roles she has played in the past.

This brilliant kick of comedy is just what the doctor ordered, as Pfeiffer is at the absolute top of her game. If you thought Goldblum and Pfeiffer gave excellent performances, Whoopi Goldberg and Sean Connery are simply a master class. These fabulous Academy-Award winning performers give even better performances than the ones given in "Ghost" and "The Untouchables". Whoopi Goldberg as God and Sean Connery as the poker laying supernatural beings is the best casting I've seen in years. They come off perfectly, beating anyone who has ever played God or the Devil ever before. These two are locks for a nomination, if not a win. Joel Grey and Kathy Griffin are also great as their assistants but the performances just aren't as good as Whoopi's or Connery's performance to get them a nomination. I wouldn't be surprised if my favorite comedy of the year gets nominations in the following categories.

Best Picture
Best Director (Mike Nichols)
Best Actor (Jeff Goldblum)
Best Actress (Michelle Pfeiffer)
Best Supporting Actor (Sean Connery)
Best Supporting Actress (Whoopi Goldberg)
Best Original Screenplay (Alexander Payne)

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