Win Win

A wonderful narrative that effectively argues the value of going to the mat for another.

In an effort to take better care of his family (Story Goal of Doing](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/story-goal/Doing "Story Goal of Doing - Storypoint - Subtxt")) Protagonist lawyer Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) sets the trouble of this story into motion with his decision to take on stewardship of the aging Leo Poplar (Burt Young) ([_Story Driver of_ Decision). Concerned with how badly things are going for him and his practice (Main Character Concern of Progress](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/main-character-concern/Progress "MC Concern of Progress - Storypoint - Subtxt")), Mike thinks only of protecting his family (MC Issue of Security) and thus, has no problem taking Leo's stipend and putting the old man in a rest home ([_Main Character Problem of_ Effect).

The story really kicks into gear when Leo's grandson and Obstacle Character Kyle (Alex Shaffer) arrives. Coming complete with the presence of mind needed to force Mike to reevaluate his life (Obstacle Character Throughline of Mind](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/influence-character-domain/Mind "Obstacle Character Domain of Mind - Storypoint - Subtxt")), Kyle's self-assuredness shocks Mike into some seriously needed character growth ([_Obstacle Character Issue of_ Confidence). Kyle's explanation for how he was able to break free from the wrestle hold--"Whatever the fuck it takes"--is precisely the sort of thing Mike needs to hear (Obstacle Character Problem of `Theory).

The relationship between the two principals, however, lacks the kind of emotional development needed for this crucial fourth throughline. There is one great scene--the same scene found in the trailer--where Mike asks "What's it like to be as good as you are?" (Relationship Story Concern of Being](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/relationship-story-concern/Being "Relationship Story Concern of Being - Storypoint - Subtxt")). But that's it - that's the only scene like that. The result is that Mike's final change ([_Main Character Resolve of_ Changed) comes off a bit formulaic. The storyform calls for it, but the story real estate wasn't there to support it. At a scant running time of 104 minutes, the Authors probably could have eeked out a couple extra scenes to really dive in to the relationship between Mike and Kyle.

Still, Mike's decision to finally man up and grab a second job (Main Character Solution of Cause](https://subtxt.app/storypoint/main-character-solution/cause "Main Character Solution of Cause - Storypoint - Subtxt")) feels like the right thing to do and brings a wonderful sense of relief to the hapless lawyer's struggle ([_Story Judgment of_ Good). Looking past the actual structure, best friend Terry Delfino (Bobby Cannavale) adds some great humor to help lighten up this otherwise heavy character piece.