Review of "Ballad of a Small Player": Colin Farrell's captivating performance isn't enough to save Edward Berger's unsubstantial redemption story from being lackluster

In the captivating world of cinema, a new film is set to make waves – The Ballad of a Small Player. Directed by Edward Berger, this movie evokes influences from the masterful minds of Wong Kar-wai and Yorgos Lanthimos. Adapted by Rowan Joffe from a novel by Lawrence Osborne, the film follows the life of Lord Doyle, played by Colin Farrell, a con man and gambling addict hiding out in the casinos of Macau.

The cinematography, handled by James Friend, paints a vivid picture of the purgatorial realm of disorienting angles and neon lights. The music, provided by Volker Bertelman, complements the story with a thundering score that mirrors the intensity of the characters' emotions.

Lord Doyle finds himself in a precarious situation, with his body falling apart due to stress or bad habits, leaving him perpetually slicked in sweat. His status as a gwai lo grants him a sort of invisibility, but it's a double-edged sword that doesn't shield him from the consequences of his actions.

Doyle's life takes a turn when he meets Dao Ming, a mysterious casino worker who takes pity on him. Dao Ming offers her own bittersweet backstory, but remains more like a symbol or a plot device than a person with interiority. However, Doyle's luck changes when he meets Dao Ming, but his transformation is propelled by something closer to divine providence than any deep personal epiphany.

The film does not shy away from criticising its characters, as Doyle himself seems to tilt at the whims of a screenwriter rather than one who much cares what's going on inside these people. Yet, the movie's title, "Ballad of a Small Player," rings awfully hollow for a film about a man running from the emptiness within.

Costumes designed by Lisy Chrisl add a layer of intrigue to the story, with clashing colours and tacky accessories that reflect the chaotic life of the characters. The movie's release date is yet to be announced, but the German theatrical release is scheduled for mid-October 2025, with the film becoming available on Netflix at the end of October 2025.

In a twist of fate, Doyle owes money to a dogged investigator, Cynthia, played by Tilda Swinton. The film's screenwriter remains unspecified in the provided information. Regardless, The Ballad of a Small Player promises to be a gripping tale of redemption and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of Macau's glittering casinos.