Colin Farrell takes centre stage as Lord Doyle, a compulsive gambler in Macau with real money problems, a three-day deadline to pay his considerable hotel debts and being pursued by a curious P.I. (Tilda Swinton) to fulfil his UK debts. Macau is presented as a gorgeously-shot vision of bright and sharp neon juxtaposed with the ancient and tradition in a fascinating fusion, an intoxicating place of anonymity and reinvention. Farrell is utterly compelling in this bravura character performance, guiding the viewer through his madcap life of mayhem, compulsion and even deeper secrets and a possible shot at redemption, from the relentless brutal close-ups to the already-infamous gluttony scene. With strong supporting character work from Tilda Swinton and Alex Jennings, Ballad Of A Small Player is an intriguing, exquisite and beautiful film to experience.
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