Billy Gardell Stars in ‘The Vortex,’ a Captivating Gambling Parable

Swissvale’s Billy Gardell has had supporting film roles before, including appearances in Bad Santa, Jersey Boys and You, Me and Dupree. In The Vortex, however, he’s the leading man—and the driving force of a film where the camera barely leaves his side.

It’s Gardell’s job to carry the picture, however, and he’s up to the task. By turns amiable, relatable and pitiable, his Pete Finnegan is an easy character to spend a film with; you can see why his compatriots overlook his flaws (and why his enemies seem to feel so bad about the need to extract a pound of flesh).

Halfway through the film, you’ll want to be at the slot machine next to Pete; by the time the credits roll, you’ll never want to gamble again.

The Vortex opens Feb. 14 at The Lindsay Theater.