Born to Win (1971) is a gritty, darkly comedic drama directed by Ivan Passer and starring George Segal as J, a former hairdresser turned small-time heroin addict struggling to navigate the streets of New York City.
Set against a backdrop of urban decay, the film follows J’s attempts to hustle, evade the police, and maintain relationships, including a complicated romance with a free-spirited woman played by Karen Black. His downward spiral is marked by betrayals, fleeting moments of hope, and an unflinching look at addiction’s grip.
The film, featuring early performances by Robert De Niro and Hector Elizondo, is notable for its raw, cinéma vérité style and bleak yet strangely humorous tone, reflecting the era’s countercultural cynicism.
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The cast of Born to Win (1971) includes:
George Segal as J
Karen Black as Parm
Paula Prentiss as Veronica
Jay Fletcher as Billy Dynamite
Hector Elizondo as Danny
Robert De Niro as Detective
Ed Madsen as Mugs
Alan Manson as The Geek
Ivan Passer (the director) also makes a brief uncredited appearance.
The film features a mix of veteran and rising actors, with Robert De Niro in an early supporting role before he became a major star.