While nothing groundbreaking or powerful, The Gambler opens with a tense situation for the lead character and holds it over his head for the remainder of the picture. There aren’t any action scenes or quick cuts — this is a quiet 70’s drama that takes place on the streets, where the people who are seeking out the film’s antihero could be around any corner. — currentfilm

This film doesn’t make judgments. It’s a movie about what this man is like and how he feels — not whether he’s good or bad. — Karel Reisz