Owning Mahowny is a 2003 biographical drama film based on the real-life story of Dan Mahowny, a Canadian bank employee who embezzled millions of dollars to fund his gambling addiction. The film was directed by Richard Kwietniowski and starred Philip Seymour Hoffman as Mahowny.
The movie portrays Mahowny as an introverted, socially awkward man who has a passion for gambling and is always looking for ways to fund his habit. He begins by borrowing small amounts of money from friends and family, but as his addiction worsens, he turns to more desperate measures.
Mahowny's job at the bank gives him access to large sums of money, and he quickly becomes adept at manipulating the system to hide his fraudulent activities. He uses the money to gamble in Atlantic City, where he becomes a regular at the casinos and begins to develop a relationship with a casino hostess named Belinda.
As Mahowny's fraudulent activities escalate, he becomes increasingly paranoid and desperate. He begins to ignore his job responsibilities and spends all of his time and energy on gambling. Eventually, he is caught by his employer and arrested for his crimes.
The film is a powerful character study that explores the destructive nature of addiction and the lengths that people will go to satisfy their compulsions. Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers a masterful performance as Mahowny, capturing the character's quiet desperation and inner turmoil. The movie received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of addiction and its impact on the lives of those affected by it.