High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story
| High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | A. W. Vidmer |
| Produced by | F.A. Miller |
| Written by | A. W. Vidmer |
| Starring |
Michael Imperioli Renee Faia Michael Nouri Michael Pasternak Pat Morita Vincent Van Patten Cynthia Brimhall |
| Music by |
Jeff Eden Fair Starr Parodi |
| Edited by | A. W. Vidmer |
| Distributed by | New Line Home Video |
Release dates |
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Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story is a 2003 biopic focusing on the life of American professional poker and gin player Stu Ungar. Stuey is the film's alternate title. The film features cameos from several figures from the world of professional sports and poker, including Vince Van Patten, Andy Glazer and Al Bernstein.
Plot
High Roller is told in flashback. Ungar (Michael Imperioli), in a motel room on the last night of his life, relates his personal story to a stranger (Michael Pasternak). He speaks of growing up as the son of a bookie, his career as a tournament gin player, moving into poker, his marriage and the birth of his daughter Stefanie, cocaine abuse, and the breakup of his marriage. The film climaxes with Ungar's third victory at the Main Event of the World Series of Poker a year before his death. In the final scene, Ungar departs the motel room with the stranger (who apparently represents Death).
Awards
- Nashville Film Festival Audience Choice Award - Best Feature (2003)
- PRISM Awards Commendation (2004)
- San Diego Film Festival Festival Award - Best Director (2003)