Born to Win |  | Director: Ivan Passer
Actors: George Segal, Paula Prentiss, Karen Black, Jay Fletcher, Hector Elizondo
Category: DVD
Buy New: $4.97
as of 2/10/2010 06:29 EST details
New (2) Used (4) from $4.92
Seller: jerrys videos
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 283415
Format: PAL
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 0
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Running Time: 88 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5031932105667
ASIN: B00006G9Y7
Theatrical Release Date: 1971
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
 Born weiner December 15, 2009
Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth)
Despite cover art depicting him prominently, Robert De Niro is NOT the main character in BORN TO WIN. Screen credited as sixth banana, he appears in two scenes.
"Born to Win" is the grim story of a loser who has this phrase tattooed on his arm. Hip hairdresser-turned-junkie JJ (Segal) is a not-too-adept thief, nor is he very smart. While delivering a stash of 'H' for a local dealer nicknamed 'Geek' (Elizondo), JJ instead decides to steal it. Cops nab him with the goods and undercover narc Danny (De Niro) forces him to set up a 'buy' with Geek.
While arranging the sting, JJ asks Geek for some smack. He's given poison and shares it with a friend who dies after shooting up, a moment which exemplies JJ's life. Despite that tattoo, this is a guy who CAN'T win, can't break even, nor can he get out of the game.
A funky soundtrack, plus humorous touches like Miss Black's encounter with JJ as he's stealing her car, or Segal prancing around the streets in a pink peignor after being stripped of his double-knit polyester threads, are stark contrast to a very depressing movie. It's the sort of anti-hero tale they don't make anymore (for obvious reasons).
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.
(5.8) Born to Win (1971) - George Segal/Karen Black/Paula Prentiss/Hector Elizondo/Robert De Niro/Sylvia Syms/Burt Young
 Born to Win April 5, 2009
Sydney Picolo (Alaska)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I received a duplicate of this movie. And it was a horrible movie to boot.
Born to Win April 5, 2009
Sydney Picolo (Alaska)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I received and was billed for two (2) of these for some reason. I only ordered one, of course. In addition, the movie was horrible.
 gritty early 70's flick February 24, 2008
C. Rocklein
This movie is a classic. OK, it has that semi-low budget feel in the beginning, and you may be wondering after the first 15 minutes if the movie is gonna be worth your time. Keep going! It fully redeems itself! Besides, the shots of New York from that time period are part of what make the film interesting for us 35 years later. That and the whole tone of the film. Anyone who could even slightly appreciate films like Shaft, Foxy Brown or anything from the Soul Cinema collection, should have no trouble getting through the slightly cheesy opening of this film, and into the heart of what makes this movie great. The five stars I give it are for the movie itself and not for DVD production. False advertising aside (don't get it for the sake of DeNiro's cameo), this movie rocks!
p.s. I saw this movie on a European dvd (which was fine) before I ordered it from Lincoln Sound and Disc (soundndisc?) on Amazon - beware of this movie seller! First, the box you see on Amazon (Classic Collection - 1998) and the one you get are different. It's not in a standard dvd case (it's a cardboard box!), does not contain chapter stops, and there are spelling mistakes (even De Niro's name is spelt wrong). Finally, the sound quality sounds like it's coming over a bad radio.. can't understand a word. No response when I contacted them about this. I've read other reviews on this sight that complain of similar things with this movie (which is fully worth getting), but make sure you go with a seller you trust!
 early indie film, with many surprises in the stars to come later January 28, 2008
Robert J. Crawford (Balmette Talloires, France)
I was very surprised at the quality of this film. The acting is solid and good, the story quite believable and unpredictable (i.e. not hollywood endingswith love winning, baddies falling, and whatever redemption needed is forthcoming), and there are many future stars in it as young actors.
JJ, just out of prison and a junkie with no life but some friends, meets Karen Black, who accepts him as he is with a wonderful chemistry of laughter and attraction. He has lost his family and there is plenty of regret through all the chemical highs. JJ is always trying to score, and is basically a loser, about to lose again. Black changes this to a degree, but the momentum of JJ's life is too strong for her and eventually brings her down. Segal is entirely convincing, really better than I have ever seen him.
Recommended for the story and for film buffs.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
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