If they ever decide to do a live stage version of Droopy Dog (younger subscribers will have to look him up), Paul Giamatti would be the perfect choice to play him. Paul has the dark cloud over his head, fire in his belly, sad sack character down to a science. Playing Mike Flaherty, a down on his luck lawyer–and if that wasn’t enough, a volunteer wrestling coach to a losing team–who finds himself in a dilemma, when an opportunity presents itself to him though it is not ethical. With solid acting, Paul’s co-star Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead), who plays his wife, matches him in the acting department. I found the story well thought out and enjoyed the way the different characters intertwined, to add layers to the main story line. A well done movie that you will not regret watching.

3 1/3 stars — DVD

http://youtu.be/bPJOmH9g8WM