The Chances

A Kinosmith discharge of a Kaos Prods. production. Created by Kirsten Newlands, Oliver Linsley. Executive producers, Kirsten Newlands, Simon Davidson. Directed, compiled by Simon Davidson.With: Tyler Johnston, Jaren Brandt Bartlett, Calum Worthy, Julia Maxwell, Robert Moloney, Scott Patey.Improbabilities pile greater than chips around the card tables glimpsed throughout "The Chances,Inch a Vancouver-set teen noir with lead performances substantially more persuasive than helmer Simon Davidson's script. Melodrama periodically recalls Rian Johnson's 2006 "Brick" since it's tenacious high-school protagonist plays detective to discover a classmate's killer. The main difference here's, this adolescent shamus usually stays his time playing illegal poker games and suspects his late buddy, another poker enthusiast, won large from bad people. Expect cent-ante biz in theatrical and homevid venues. Tyler Johnston effectively channels the mid-1980s Tom Cruise as Desson, a 17-year-old gambler who will not believe uncle Craig (Calum Worthy) committed suicide. Carrying out a trail leading from the basement gambling parlor operated with a classmate to some downtown eatery where games are performed for greater stakes, Desson manages to lose nearly everything while betting on his deductive prowess. Pic has a couple of amusing touches -- a stern-faced mother only grudgingly grants of her son's poker racket -- but is most credible when Desson will get a significant beatdown from grown-ups that do not appreciate snoops of all ages.Digital camera (color), Norm Li editor, Greg Ng music, Patrick Caird production designer, Scott Moulton. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Canada First!), Sept. 12, 2011. Running time: 92 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com