Anthony Kelley Talks The GamblerPosted by Wilson Morales
December 29, 2014
Currently playing in theaters is director Rupert Wyatt’s The Gambler, starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Emory Cohen, Alvin King, Anthony Kelley and Jessica Lange.
In The Gambler, Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael K. Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance…
Making his screen debut is Anthony Kelley, who plays basketball player Lamar Allen. For the 22-year old Los Angeles native, it’s a surreal experience to play a role in which he’s able to use his physical talent and work alongside one of today’s best actors in the business.
Blackfilm.com recently caught up with Kelley as he talked about his feature debut.
How did you go about in getting the role?
Anthony Kelley: My uncle owns a philanthropy program called “Reach Back Los Angeles” and I would see folks like Penny Marshall and Mark Wahlberg come in and just give back to the community and I’ve seen how they have used their voice to give back. My uncle told me about an audition that Mark Wahlberg was having and I went out for the role.
Had you acted before?
AK: No. I had never acted before. This was my first project. I had plays back when I was in elementary school but I never considered it acting.
How was the audition process?
AK: I kept coming back and working with Sheila Jaffe, the casting director and she would just help me out. She told me one time to run around the basketball court and recite my line so I could be more comfortable with it and it actually worked.I would drive around with the line and have my friends help go over it so I can portray the right emotion for the scene.
What’s the feeling like having a sizable part opposite Mark Wahlebrg?
AK: It was a little bit nerve-wracking because I was in awe because I’ve always been a fan of Mark Wahlberg’s films; and just to be around him, hang out with him, go over lines, guide me and help me with the emotions made me feel comfortable on set. He’s great and down-to-earth.
Did you get a chance to speak with the other actors?
AK: I didn’t get a chance to see John Goodman until the AFI festival. I was supposed to come down on set but I got busy on some other stuff but I did get to meet Michael K. Williams and he’s awesome. He’s really cool and told me how he’s not that good at basketball. I don’t believe him still.
How would you describe your character?
AK: I play Lamar Allen and he’s the star basketball player at college. He’s in Jim Bennett’s, which is Mark Wahlberg’s class and Jim’s at a crossroads in his life. He’s battling a lot of issues, especially financially. Lamar, with his own career, doesn’t think he has a bright future due to some issues which I can’t say. Nop spoilers here. He and Jim have a verbal sparring in the classroom and after a number of discussions, they realized that they have a lot in common and become really good friends. Jim becomes a mentor for Lamar.
How good are your basketball skills?
AK: I’ve been playing basketball since I was two. I’ve played, AAU, high school and college. I went to thres different high schools, first at Beverly Hills High School. Then I went to Taft in Woodland Hills under Derek Taylor, who was awesome. That’s my experience with basketball. I’ve been playing forever. I went to Central State University in Ohio. I decided to come back because I missed home. I got homesick and went to a JC, Pierce College. There I did the redshirt thing and was looking to play overseas because my eligibility time had passed up. I was pursuing a career in playing internationally before I got the movie.
