It is directed by Dan Ireland and stars Jason Isaacs, Sofia Milos and Emmy Rossum, co-starring Seymour Cassel and Theresa Russell.

Celia Amonte (Milos) is a Portuguese American widow who lives in New Bedford, Massachusetts with her daughter Vicky (Rossum); her late husband was a fisherman lost at sea.

After accepting a ban, Charlie meets with his friends Daniel (Cassel) and Lois Vargas (Russell) at the Shawmut Diner, where they attempt to convince him to stop card counting.

Vicky agrees to help Charlie pursue her mother in exchange for card counting lessons, and threatens to reveal his identity as a gambler should he refuse.

The website's consensus reads: "If Passionada doesn't quite spark its title emotion, the strong chemistry between its charming cast helps make this romantic dramedy a painless proposition.