Paul Giamatti is a Winner in "Win Win"

Paul Giamatti is arguably one of the most underrated actors of all time, turning in amazing performances that often are overlooked for awards consideration. Fortunately, the Hollywood Foreign Press honored Giamatti with a Golden Globe Award this year for his work in "Barney's Version."

The prolific actor turns in yet another critically-acclaimed performance in "Win Win," the story of a lawyer pushed to desperate measures by a sour economy. Giamatti plays Mike Flaherty, a New Jersey attorney who is in serious danger of losing his practice. With a wife, two kids, a house and a crumbling office, Flaherty just can't attract enough clients to cover all his bills.

Mike also has a passion for wrestling, coaching a high school team with his business partner Stephen Vigman (Jeffrey Tambor). Unfortunately, the kids on the team have little or no interest in learning wrestling holds or practicing for meets.

Mike's salvation comes in the unlikely form of Leo Poplar (Burt Young), an elderly man fighting to keep his home. Though Leo is wealthy, the New Jersey court system declares him mentally incompetent and recommends a senior living facility. Mike steps in and volunteers to become Leo's guardian, which makes him eligible for a $1500 monthly payout.

Mike promises the court that he will help Leo maintain an independent lifestyle in his home, but he drops his client off at the senior center recommended by the court. Mike still keeps the $1500 monthly payout, rationalizing that if he visits Leo every so often, he's earning the money.

Mike gets more than he bargained for when Kyle (Alex Shaffer), Leo's grandson, shows up on the doorstep. Kyle's drug-addicted mom sends him to live with grandfather while she tries to clean up her act. With Leo in a senior apartment, Mike has no choice but to take care of Kyle until his mother shows up to claim him.

Beautifully executed, "Win Win" is, like Giamatti, a true gem that often is overlooked during awards season. Giamatti does what he does best, playing a regular guy with a good heart and flaws that often overshadow his good intentions. On the verge of a nervous collapse, attorney Mike Flaherty makes a decision that could put his whole legal career in jeopardy.

The big surprise in "Win Win" is young Alex Shaffer, an actor who shows the same promise that Matt Dillon did when he appeared in "Little Darlings" over thirty years ago. Shaffer plays Kyle as a shy, almost non-communicative young man who comes out of his shell the longer he spends time with Mike and his family. For Mike, Kyle could be the answer to his wrestling dreams.

"Win Win" is a solid film that doesn't necessarily have a happy ending, but that's okay. As Paul Giamatti's character says while making amends for his professional misconduct, "I'm good."

No, Paul, you are great and so is this film.

"Win Win," rated R for language, currently is playing in limited release.