Some casting decisions should never happen. Shaq as Tinkerbell. Hmm. Actually that might be fantastic, scratch that. But any role where Mark Wahlberg gets to wear a trucker hat—it’s a good role for him to play.
However, Mark Wahlberg as a professor of literature? Discussing nihilistic philosophy? Just no. How about as a professor with a gambling addiction? Still no. Gambling addiction with a trucker hat? Yes, absolutely. But the egregiously miscast “The Gambler” is not that movie.
Jim Bennett (Wahlberg) teaches English Literature and gambles too much. He’s also a verbal-abuse-type professor. He shames his class, telling them they should never, ever indulge dreams of being writers.
Mark Wahlberg as English professor Jim Bennett in "The Gambler." Paramount Pictures
