Name: Losing Ground
Genre: Drama
Released: 2005-03-11
Duration: 1 h 30 min
Rating: 7.8
Cast: Eileen O'Connell, Kendall Pigg, Matthew Mark Meyer

In translating his play to film, Bryan Wizemann avoids the staginess that mars most cinematic adaptations of staged work. He is well supported by his actors, each of whom fully inhabits their characters' sense of desperation and addiction. A gambling bar in Vegas provides the claustrophobic setting for a group of addicts' Pavlovian responses to the potential big score their video poker machines may hold. The drama unfolds in real time without a specific narrative line, but Wizemann's screenplay peppers the journey with subtle road signs that clue us into the characters' back story, flaws and motivation. From the hardened, seasoned vet (Monique Vukovic) to the desperate fading beauty way in over her head (Eileen O'Connell), Losing Ground pulls no punches in depicting how the sadomasochistic cycle of addiction entraps all who fall into its downward spiral. Wizemann's subtle character piece ultimately hinges on the blatant actions of a clichéd mystery man (the cowboy symbolism is way too obvious), but the last line of his film smacks with a bitter irony that redeems the work. 7.5 out of 10.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

Adapted form the critically acclaimed New York stage play Tom Noonan, Losing Ground is a contemporary drama following the interactions between seven strangers in a Las Vegas video-poker bar.

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Original US poster designed by Adrian Rothschild

John Becker Good, Bryan Wizemann, and Eileen O'Connell at an event for Losing Ground (2005)

Bryan Wizemann at an event for Losing Ground (2005)

Losing Ground

Photos4

Top Cast7

User reviews3

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed