Curtis problem was that behind his gregariousness lied a lonely man who had a difficulty developing deep connections and settling down. Throughout the trip he struggled to come to terms with his feelings for Simone. The night they got lucky at the craps table, he gave her a call and told her that he loved yet. And yet, next morning, as he wakes up, Simone is calling him and he ignores her. As he gets up, we see another woman in bed and as he leaves, he flirts with the receptionist and tries to take her with him to Machu Pichu.

That's not a happy ending. That's not a man who grew from his latest adventure and became better. He remains unchanged and he's burning bridges with the woman who might love him for who he is, as he's chasing rainbows in far away places.

In fact, the film had a bit of a twist in the end, because as I was watching Gerry get up and check the safe with all the money, I had a feeling of dread that he was going to degen all that money in craps again. And yet we see him buy his old car back and placing his daughter's picture on the visor. We cannot be sure that Gerry isn't going to fall of the degen wagon, but as we leave him, we see a man who's grown and who's trying to do the right thing.

Like MG out of nowhere an angel appears and takes this loser under his wing and mentors him but at least in Hard Eight we find out why - he killed his father. Yeah it's contrived and not really a gambling movie but it's ok i guess. Great performance from Philip Baker Hall and I never thought john C Reilly was ever young but he is in this.