Themes: Unlikely Criminals, Gambling, College Life
Main Cast: David Krumholtz, Jennifer Morrison, Tory Kittles, Nicholas Turturro, Alex Rocco
Release Year: 2002
Country: US
Run Time: 96 minutes
Plot
Based on a real-life 1994 scandal involving college basketball point-shaving, Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie stars David Krumholtz as the title character. Though a mere freshman on the campus of Arizona State University, Benny Silman (Krumholtz) is in charge of accepting all bets for the school's basketball games, under the watchful eye of his mentor, a high-rolling Las Vegas gambler (Nicholas Turturro). It isn't long before Benny is operating his own bookie ring, raking in big bucks at every turn. The beginning of the end for Benny occurs when A.S.U. basketball star Stevin "Hedake" Smith (Tory Kittles) suggests that he'd like a piece of the action, too. Although the Benny Silman depicted onscreen remains unrepentant and unapologetic, even when getting his just desserts at the hands of the authorities, the real Silman appears in the film's epilogue, equipped with an unexpected "Don't let this happen to you!" admonition. Filmed on location in California and Nevada (not surprisingly, the producers were unable to line up shooting dates in Arizona), the made-for-cable Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie debuted March 31, 2002 over the FX network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Freddy de Mann - Larry; Theo Rossi - The Mook; Benny Silman - Himself; Zachary Levi - Adam
Credit
Ernest R. Dickerson - Director, Stephen Lovejoy - Editor, Kevin J. Messick - Executive Producer, Christian Wagener - Production Designer, Steven Bernstein - Cinematographer, Steve McGlothen - Producer, Michael Ritchie - Screen Story, Jason Keller - Screenwriter
