‘Ballad of a Small Player’ is a Mixed Bag

Colin Farrell in Ballad of a Small Player | Credit: Netflix

Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) is a high-stakes gambler whose luck has run out in Macau. With his bills piling up and people coming to collect, how will he respond?

This is such a great premise, but for me, this film was a bit of a disappointment. There are some really excellent aspects of this film, including the performances, production, costume design, and direction. I also loved the score, which takes you on a journey as this character goes through so many ups and downs. But I found the screenplay to be lacking, which puts a damper on the entire film. I was engaged with the film at first, but the longer that I watched, the more that I found my mind drifting from what was on screen. Though the film is only a little over 100 minutes, I felt relieved when it was finally over.

But, before we get into some of the more disappointing parts of the film, let’s look at where Ballad of a Small Player excels.

We know that Colin Farrell can act. We’ve seen him give fantastic performances over and over again for decades. And this film is no exception.

Lord Doyle is at the end of his rope. He is addicted to both gambling and alcohol and has found himself in a pretty terrible spiral. Whatever wealth he once had, he has lost at the tables, leaving him with nothing but rich-looking suits and mounting bills. Despite his attempts to change his luck, he is unable to do so. He has run out of time.

Colin Farrell plays this character exceptionally well. We feel his desperation as he tries to move about Macau without being spotted by those he owes money to. But we also see his charm when he is sitting at the tables schmoozing people. And then we see the shame come when he is once again out of luck and unable to pay up. There’s a frenetic madness to his performance that absolutely matches how this character would think and feel as things grow increasingly worse and his options shrink.

Another stand-out aspect of Ballad of a Small Player is the visuals. This takes place in Macau, which is stunning, and the film utilizes that setting to its full advantage. Not only do we spend time in these really beautiful casinos and hotels, but there is a religious festival happening on the island. We see the preparation for these events, the icons, the offerings, and the celebration. On top of all of that, Lord Doyle’s outfits are always bright and garish, making him stand out wherever he goes. Each of these elements adds visual interest to the film.

While I really loved a lot of this film’s technical aspects, I found the story to be a letdown in the end. I’m going to mention some of the parts of the screenplay that didn’t work well for me, which will mean some spoilers. So, if you haven’t yet seen Ballad of a Small Player and don’t want it spoiled, please don’t read on.

Colin Farrell and Fala Chen in Ballad of a Small Player | Credit: Netflix

The beautiful visuals and strong performances in Ballad of a Small Player are let down by the screenplay. One of my biggest complaints is the character of Dao Ming (Fala Chen), who spends most of the film helping Doyle, acting as his guide as he walks through this situation. She is there for him every step of the way, showing up in the moments that he needs her the most. She’s always willing to listen and help him. While that’s nice, it makes no sense. The film never explains why this woman would be helping this random gambler she encountered at the casino. She doesn’t have a story or any sort of agency; her sole purpose in the film is to help this man. And that’s frustrating to watch for most of the film. Then, of course, the reveal at the end about Dao Ming made me roll my eyes—it was too tropey for me.

We also don’t get to know Doyle all that well, either. Despite Colin Farrell’s excellent performance, all I know about this character is what’s found on the surface. We know that he’s a con man and a gambling addict, but the story doesn’t seem to go much deeper than that. If this were about the glitz and glamor of a gambler riding the highs and lows of his luck, that would probably be okay. But Ballad of a Small Player ends with this big character transformation that, to me, didn’t feel earned.

When Doyle decides to use his money for an offering, it feels like a beat of the film that’s supposed to feel cathartic, but just didn’t land for me. I read Doyle’s actions as those of an addict who had some near-death experiences, rather than someone who has made a life-altering change. Maybe I’m just too cynical for this film, but the “feel-good” ending just didn’t land right with me. It felt like a payoff for something that wasn’t well set up in the film.

Colin Farrell in Ballad of a Small Player | Credit: Netflix

While there are many good elements to Ballad of a Small Player, the film is let down by the screenplay that maybe could’ve used some additional revisions. Still, Colin Farrell’s performance as Doyle is captivating to watch from start to finish, and the visuals are absolutely stunning. This film is effective in immersing you in Doyle’s world, mind, and experiences—and it sure is a wild ride.

While the film as a whole didn’t quite work for me, it’s still worth checking out. It’s currently streaming on Netflix.