High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story is a 2003 biopic focusing on the life of American professional poker and gin player Stu Ungar. Stuey is the film's alternate title. The film features cameos from several figures from the world of professional sports and poker, including Vince Van Patten, Andy Glazer and Al Bernstein.

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story
Directed byA. W. Vidmer
Written byA. W. Vidmer
Produced byF.A. Miller
StarringMichael Imperioli
Renee Faia
Michael Nouri
Michael Pasternak
Pat Morita
Vincent Van Patten
Cynthia Brimhall
Edited byA. W. Vidmer
Music byJeff Eden Fair
Starr Parodi
Distributed byNew Line Home Video
Release date
  • 2003 (2003)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot edit

High Roller is told in flashback. Ungar (Michael Imperioli), in a motel room on the last night of his life, relates his personal story to a stranger (Michael Pasternak). He speaks of growing up as the son of a bookie, his career as a tournament gin player, moving into poker, his marriage and the birth of his daughter Stefanie, cocaine abuse, and the breakup of his marriage. The film climaxes with Ungar's third victory at the Main Event of the World Series of Poker a year before his passing. In the final scene, Ungar departs the motel room with the stranger (who apparently represents the Grim Reaper).

Cast edit

Awards edit

External links edit