In the second of a series recommending great films related to law, here's a movie for anyone tempted to chuck in their day job for a crazy dream. Rounders is the story of a law student who knows he should knuckle down and study - but prefers getting buzzed off his teats playing poker. Here are three reasons to watch:

1. Not the cards

We meet Matt Damon in a dingy cellar getting thrashed by John Malkovich. Having lost his tuition fees and with his well-heeled future in the balance, Damon bumps into old pal Ed Norton, who immediately lands him with a huge debt he has to repay sharpish or get beaten up. What follows is far more about scheming and scamming than the minutiae of poker tactics.

Whether or not you've experienced the fart-popping fear as you push all your chips into the middle of the table, the story of a man, well, essentially battling a crippling gambling addiction, is more fun than it sounds. Plus there's a nice old judge who helps him out.

"I find you guilty, Matt Damon. Of touching my heart."

2. A bad friend

Ed Norton makes a great heel. What a whiny, insistent voice. He looks like he gets colds all the time. It means he's perfect as Damon's awful friend Worm. Everything Worm touches turns to crap, which he wastes no time in smearing over his pal. It's a pleasure watching him work. Whenever Damon's in danger of pulling it together, up pops Worm with a big load.

Worm knows how to wipe that smug look off his face

3. John Malkovich's unholy acting

Apparently John Malkovich's character, KGB, is Russian. Presumably the director suggested Malkovich research what a Russian accent sounds like. Maybe they even played him some examples. It doesn't matter. It didn't work. Malkovich plays KGB like a racist impressionist hawking up a lung. And dresses accordingly.

"So, you kkkkkkkhhhaf my mahnee?"

It's hard not to like KGB. Damon's snooty classmates are very dull compared to the colourful madman who wants to break his knees.

Will Damon choose to spend his life playing with a bunch of sweaty men in windowless rooms for hours on end while spurning meaningful human contact, or will he become a professional poker player? Watch to find out; it's a great little film.