High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story
Directed by	A. W. Vidmer
Written by	A. W. Vidmer
Produced by	F.A. Miller
Starring	Michael Imperioli Renee Faia Michael Nouri Michael Pasternak Pat Morita Vincent Van Patten Cynthia Brimhall
Edited by	A. W. Vidmer
Music by	Jeff Eden Fair Starr Parodi
Distributed by	New Line Home Video
Release date	2003 (2003)
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 passing. In the final scene, Ungar departs the motel room with the stranger (who apparently represents the Grim Reaper).

Cast

• Michael Imperioli as Stu Ungar
  • Jonathan Press as Young Stu Ungar
• Renee Faia as Angela
• Michael Nouri as Vincent
• Michael Pasternak as The Stranger
• Pat Morita as Mr. Leo
• Vincent Van Patten as Jimmy "Jimmy D"
• Cynthia Brimhall as Sondra
• Al Bernstein as Himself
• Andrew N.S. Glazer as Himself
• Brian Kaplan as John Strzemp
• Evan Broder as Goldstein
• Todd Susman as Max Ungar
• Tommy Cannary as Sol
• Peggy Walton-Walker as Flo Ungar
• A.W. Vidmer as Gin Victim
• Lon Gary as Poker Player
• David Dwyer as Poker Player
• Steve Schirripa as Anthony

Awards

• Nashville Film Festival Audience Choice Award - Best Feature (2003)
• PRISM Awards Commendation (2004)
• San Diego Film Festival Festival Award - Best Director (2003)

External links

• High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story at IMDb