Born to Win is a 1971 black comedy film directed by Ivan Passer and starring George Segal, Karen Black, Paula Prentiss, Hector Elizondo and Robert De Niro. Released by United Artists, the film is probably the youngest film of the studio's library to be now in the public domain.

Plot

The film follows Jay Jay (Segal), a former hair dresser who has become a drug addict. He lives his new life by doing deals for Vivian (Elizondo) from time to time. One day he meets Parm (Black), a free spirited girl. The two fall in love. Jay Jay's drug habit grows, and he soon resorts to robbery. On the threat of arrest, he works alongside two dirty policemen by becoming a Informant, and reports on his former fellow junkies. Yet, as the movie continues, Jay Jay sinks deeper into turmoil with feelings of self-hatred.

Cast

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|- bgcolor="CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Role
|-
| George Segal || J
|-
| Karen Black || Parm
|-
| Paula Prentiss || Veronica
|-
| Hector Elizondo || Vivian
|-
| Jay Fletcher || Billy Dynamite
|-
| Robert De Niro || Danny
|-
| Ed Madsen || Detective
|}

Reception

Born to Win received primarily mediocre reviews but many critics did make note that there was a form of brilliance within it. Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert said of the film, "...a good-bad movie that doesn't always work but has some really brilliant scenes."

Category:1971 films
Category:American black comedy films
Category:Films set in New York City
Category:United Artists films
Category:1970s comedy films