Ballad of a Small Player
Drama
Luck of the Draw: A TIFF Review of ‘Ballad of a Small Player’
September 12, 2025Ben MK
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Whether he's playing a gangster, a wizard, or one of Gotham City's most notorious villains, Colin Farrell has always managed to delve deep into the psyche of his characters and deliver complex and compelling performances. From the moment mainstream audiences first set eyes on him in 2000's Tigerland, Farrell has held a steady track record of starring in some of the most diverse and interesting projects Hollywood has to offer, from sleek sci-fi thrillers to off-kilter dramas. It's a trait that has made the 49-year-old one of the industry's most intriguing actors. And with the latest from Conclave director Edward Berger, Ballad of a Small Player, Farrell is proving he hasn't lost any of that versatility, in this stylistic and satirical tale about a compulsive gambler hellbent on winning big. Brendan Reilly (Farrell) is a man without a penny to his name. And in actuality, his net worth is more accurately described as being in the negative figures. Having stolen money — money that he has subsequently gambled away — from a multitude of individuals who would do anything to have his head on a stick; he's now found himself in Macau, the gambling capital of the world, in a desperate attempt to claw and scratch his way out of his deep, dark pit of despair. After faking his own death in the Philippines, he's adopted a new alias, Lord Doyle, a British aristocrat with a penchant for luxury items and high stakes. However, when his past misdeeds catch up with him — in the form of a private detective named Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) — Doyle must decide whether it's worth it to continue on his current path or surrender completely. Meeting a compassionate casino employee named Dao Ming (Fala Chen) along the way, Doyle suddenly finds his fortunes taking a turn for the better; and for the first time in his life, he's actually optimistic about his odds. But as with all addictions, temptation is always right around the corner. Can he manage to quit while he's ahead? Or will the past repeat itself once again? A surreal journey into the tormented soul of a gambling addict, the result is 75% style and 25% substance. Still, despite this not being Farrell's best performance, there's still enough — thematically, visually, and acting-wise — to warrant a watch. Thanks to Berger's confident direction and Farrell's all-in portrayal of a man in dire straits, Ballad of a Small Player is a mesmerizing experience, especially on the big screen. Just don't expect to another Conclave, because even though the deck may be stacked, the house always wins. |
Ballad of a Small Player screens under the Special Presentations programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 1 hr. 41 min.
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