‘Bookies’ Movie Review – It’s Worth Watching
The ‘Bookies’ movie came out in 2003 as a comedy thriller, and while it hasn’t become a cult classic by any means, it did grab our attention. This is a fun and entertaining movie, great for nights when you feel like sitting back and kicking your feet up. With a cast that includes The Big Bang Theory’s star Johnny Galecki and other experienced actors, you will no doubt have a good time with this film. Below, we will go into detail about this film and everything good and bad about it.
‘Bookies’: Full Movie Synopsys
As far as the plot of the movie, ‘Bookies’ 2003 has a relatively simple concept. We have three college students named Toby, Jude, and Casey, who are really fond of betting. After losing a $1000 collective bet, the three get the idea to start their own sports betting operation on campus. Taking wagers from fellow students, our characters develop their unique system of collecting and paying out money while remaining anonymous.
Their idea immediately takes off, and their customer base rapidly expands. With thousands of dollars in turnover, the protagonists start making serious money. As movie clichés usually demand, Jude becomes obsessed with the new-found wealth. His drug use and spending habits do not go unnoticed. Have a look at the trailer to get a better idea:
Over the course of the movie, the local mob catches on to the illegal gambling on campus and is not too happy to be losing out on the business. However, since our ‘bookies’ are anonymous, the mobsters look for a way to find out who they actually are.
We won’t give away the entire ending, but you can expect to see more drama and tension towards the end. The film’s climax resolves just about all conflicts from the story and leads the plot to a relatively logical conclusion.
Characters in the Movie: ‘Bookies’ and Secondary Personas
At its core, ‘Bookies’ is a relatively unambitious and straightforward film. The subject matter is nothing complicated. It can be summed up as “inexperienced people get a taste of wealth and get in too deep“. The movie revolves around the characters of Toby and Jude. Despite being the third member of the group, Casey is barely featured. You can forget that he was an essential member of the operation, to begin with.
The primary conflict comes from the difference between Jude’s and Toby’s personalities. Jude is aggressive, greedy, and bold, whereas Toby is collected and cautious. Jude is the character that really drives the plot. All of the action comes as a result of his decisions and ability (or inability) to convince his friends to follow. He is the most interesting character in the whole cast.
Toby is presented as the primary protagonist, and we’re supposed to see things from his point of view. However, halfway into the movie, you will notice that he barely takes the initiative. His role is reactionary to the plot around him, and his biggest impact on the story comes towards the end.
I wonder all the time, is there any significance to the people we meet in our lives? Does our life follow fate, or chance? – Toby, ‘Bookies’ (2003)
The other characters in the film are hardly memorable. Hunter’s character – Toby’s love interest– barely serves any function throughout the movie. All we really know about her is that she’s good at shooting hoops and playing foosball. Throughout the film, Hunter’s displeasure of the situation is used to showcase just how much the protagonists are in over their heads.
The Italian mobsters are not particularly compelling. While somewhat intimidating at first, they are hardly featured in the story. In fact, the two are stock characters with no distinct personalities or depth.
Is ‘Bookies’ a Good Gambling Movie?
This film does not go in-depth about the gambling scene as much as one would expect. The sports betting is used as a plot device to keep the story going, rather than as a central premise. In reality, you can replace it with a different gambling product, and the story wouldn’t change too much. The characters mention a few bet types, explained by subtitles, but nothing serious like you would find at most of the top gambling websites. The primary focus is on the money brought in by the bookmaking and the trouble that comes with it.
‘Bookies’ Movie Online – Availability and Platforms
If you want to watch the ‘Bookies’ movie online, streaming is always a good option. However, given the limited success of the film and its age, it is safe to assume that it won’t be available on many platforms. Right now, Amazon seems to be the only legitimate service that offers the film, not accounting for the pirate sites and other similar streaming platforms.
‘Bookies’ Movie Details
The movie ‘Bookies’ came out in January 2003 and was distributed by MGM. Its cast featured young (at the time) actors, and the movie had a $8.4 million budget (which is clearly visible at certain moments). Here are the ‘Bookies’ full movie details:
| Name: | Bookies |
| Release: | January 20, 2003 |
| Genre: | Comedy Thriller |
| Starring: | Nick Stahl, Lukas Haas, Johnny Galecki, Rachel Leigh Cook |
| Director: | Mark Illsley |
| Writers: | Michael Bacall |
| Runtime: | 1h 30m |
| IMBD Rating: | 6/10 |
| RottenTomatoes Rating: | 67% |
After release, ‘Bookies’ did not draw significant attention from critics. Only a few weighed in their opinions, but they were mostly positive. The audience had mixed feelings about this film, though most viewers seemed to have enjoyed it. The ‘Bookies’ Rotten Tomatoes review features a rating of 67%, whereas the IMDB one shows 6/10.
Conclusion about the Movie ‘Bookies’ 2003
Ultimately, ‘Bookies’ is an unassuming film that does not pretend to be something it’s not. It is a comedic take on young people’s tendency to gamble and what the consequences might bring. It is enjoyable enough, provided that you do not take it too seriously. The leads’ performances are quite good, which will immerse you enough to get your money’s worth.
Some aspects of the film can be rough around the edges, but there are no hard dealbreakers. When all is said and done, ‘Bookies’ won’t be compared to Ocean’s Eleven anytime soon. However, it is good enough for what it is, and worth considering if you’re after a light-hearted flick.
FAQ About the Movie ‘Bookies’ 2003
If you have additional questions about ‘Bookies’, please have a look at the FAQ section below. You will find answers to some of the most critical questions on the subject. Hopefully, after reading everything, you will know whether this film is something you want to watch.
Similar Articles
