Lay the Favorite

An American comedy-drama film from 2012, directed by Stephen Frears, based on Beth Raymer's memoir. The story follows a young woman named Beth Raymer (Rebecca Hall), who becomes bored with her life in Florida, performing private dances. Encouraged by her father Jerry (Corbin Bernsen), she moves to Las Vegas in search of honest work. There, she meets Holly (Laura Prepon), who introduces her to professional gambler Dink Heimowitz (Bruce Willis). Dink runs his own sports betting operation and hires Beth after recognizing her aptitude for numbers and quick grasp of sports betting. Beth becomes his protégée and brings luck to his business. However, her close relationship with Dink sparks jealousy in his wife Tulip (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who demands Beth's dismissal. After being fired, Beth moves to New York, where she meets journalist Jeremy (Joshua Jackson), and they begin a relationship. Nevertheless, her passion for gambling leads her to collaborate with Dink's rival, a bookmaker named Rosie (Vince Vaughn). Beth becomes entangled in the world of illegal betting and faces the inherent dangers of the business. The film delves into themes of risk, morality, and the quest for one's place in life, depicting Beth's balancing act between personal relationships and the allure of the gambling world.