Watch Sour Grapes

Sour Grapes is a dark comedy film released in 1998, directed and written by Larry David, creator of the popular television series Curb Your Enthusiasm, and starring Steven Weber, Craig Bierko and Jack Burns. The premise of this film is based on the concept of a man who wins big at a casino, only to lose everything he has ever had. The story revolves around two cousins, Evan (Weber) and Richie (Bierko), who are both living in New York, but come from very different worlds. Evan, a successful surgeon, is married to a beautiful and wealthy woman, while Richie is a struggling artist, who has been living off his parents' largesse for years.

One day, Evan returns from Las Vegas with a mouth-watering tale of winning $436,000 in a single night of gambling. However, the fortune does not sit well with him, as he sees his close friends desperate for money and decides to lend them some of his newfound wealth. This quickly spirals downward, as Evan goes on an uncontrollable spending spree, and his friends become increasingly insistent on their demands for payback.

As Evan's life spins out of control, his wife, Joan (Viola Harris), becomes increasingly suspicious of his activities, and the cops begin to get involved. Meanwhile, Richie, unable to resist the temptation of easy money, decides to try his hand at gambling, with disastrous consequences. As the film progresses, the two cousins are forced to confront each other, their actions, and the consequences of their decisions.

The film's humor is derived from its eccentric characters, witty dialogue, and exaggerated situations. The writing is sharp and clever, and the cast delivers excellent performances across the board. Steven Weber's portrayal of Evan is particularly impressive, as he expertly captures the character's gradual descent into madness.

Sour Grapes is a film that explores the themes of morality and greed. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the seductive power of money. The film also touches on the concept of identity, as the characters are forced to confront their own self-image in light of their actions.

The film's production design is simple, yet effective, as most of the action takes place in a few fixed locations. The cinematography is also well-executed, with each shot expertly framed to reflect the mood of the scene. The score, composed by Chris Boardman, is also noteworthy, perfectly complementing the film's tone and tension.

Overall, Sour Grapes is a well-crafted film that is entertaining, thought-provoking, and darkly funny. It explores the themes of morality, greed, and identity with wit and intelligence, and features excellent performances from its cast. Fans of Larry David's work, and dark comedies in general, will find much to enjoy in this underrated gem.

Sour Grapes is a 1998 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.