New on Prime Video | Lay the Favorite (2012) | StreamingGuide.ca

Beth Raymer, a former stripper turned sports gambling enthusiast, moves to Las Vegas with hopes of becoming a cocktail waitress but instead finds herself drawn into the world of professional sports betting. Under the tutelage of Dink Heimowitz, a seasoned gambler, Beth embraces the high stakes and easy cash of her new vocation. But as she starts to excel and enjoys her newfound success, she disrupts the male-dominated realm, leading to unexpected complications in her personal and professional life, especially when romance and the law come into play.

Length: 1h 34m
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
This Title is: Lighthearted, Fast-Paced

“Lay the Favorite” IS STREAMING TODAY ON Prime Video IN CANADA

Trailer

Cast

Rebecca Hall as Beth Raymer
Bruce Willis as Dink Heimowitz
Vince Vaughn as Rosie

Parental Guidance

Maturity Rating: R for language throughout, some sexual content, brief drug use, and nudity

Content warnings include scenes of a sexual nature, strong language, and brief drug use which may not be suitable for all audiences.

Trivia

The film is based on a memoir by Beth Raymer of the same name.
Director Stephen Frears was nominated for an Oscar for “The Queen,” which is notable given the different tone and style of “Lay the Favorite.”
Despite its star-studded cast, the movie received generally unfavorable reviews from critics.

Our Review

“Lay the Favorite” offers a quirky and entertaining look at the world of sports gambling through the eyes of its plucky protagonist, Beth. Rebecca Hall delivers a compelling performance, bringing charm and a sense of innocence to the hedonistic world of betting. While the film may not be a critical darling, it has a certain lightness and humor that provide a pleasant, if not entirely memorable, viewing experience. Its portrayal of Las Vegas’s betting scene is more fanciful than gritty, which works to its advantage in keeping the tone consistently upbeat.